Mythimna vitellina

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Mythimna vitellina
Mythimna vitellina

Mythimna vitellina

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Hadeninae
Genre : Mythimna
Type : Mythimna vitellina
Scientific name
Mythimna vitellina
( Huebner , 1808)

Mythimna vitellina , sometimes also referred to as the steppe hill white- armed owl or yolk owl, is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae).

description

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 30 to 43 millimeters. The color of the upper side of the forewing varies from ocher to light yellow. The scientific name of the species is derived from this color ( Latin vitellus = egg yolk). Often there is a reddish over-dusting. Wavy line and cross lines stand out in dark orange. The kidney defect is large, indistinct and has a black center. In the males, the upper side of the hind wings is unmistakably whitish, in the females unmistakably gray.

egg

The spherical egg has a strongly flattened base. It initially has a yellow-white color that later takes on reddish yellow tones. The surface is slightly honeycombed.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars have a brownish, greenish or reddish basic color. They show thin white back and side back lines as well as a pale yellow side stripe. The stigmas and the small point warts are black.

Doll

The cremaster of the doll is rounded at the end and has two thorns.

Similar species

Mythimna thomasi is predominantly yellow-gray or reddish gray in color. The outer transverse line is indistinct. Since the similar Mythimna daemona occurs in the Himalayas at altitudes over 3000 meters, there is no geographical overlap with Mythimna vitellina .

distribution and habitat

Mythimna vitellina is widespread in the Mediterranean area, in North Africa and Western Asia to North India. As a migratory butterfly , the species also reaches northern and eastern areas every year and has been found in the British Isles , Denmark and Russia , for example . It prefers to colonize warm slopes and wasteland as well as steppe heaths.

Way of life

The moths fly in two generations a year, which can be found between May and July or between August and November. They are nocturnal, fly to artificial light sources , visit bait and have also been observed sucking on butterfly lilacs ( Buddleja davidii ). Food plants of the caterpillars are different grasses.

Danger

Mythimna vitellina is not at home in Germany, but occasionally immigrates and is listed on the Red List of Endangered Species as an “Irrgast”.

swell

literature

  • Günter Ebert, Axel Steiner: The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg - Volume 7, Moths V (Owls (Noctuidae) 3rd part). Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998. ISBN 3-800-13500-0 .
  • Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
  • Hermann Hacker, László Ronkay and Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae vol. 4 Hadeninae I . Entomological, Sorø 2002, ISBN 87-894-30-07-7 .
  • Manfred Koch : We determine butterflies. Volume 3: Owls. 2nd, expanded edition. Neumann, Leipzig / Radebeul 1972, DNB 760072930 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Hermann Hacker, László Ronkay, Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae vol. 4 Hadeninae I . Entomological Press, Sorø 2002 ISBN 87-894-30-07-7
  2. ^ Arnold Spuler: The butterflies of Europe . Volume 1, E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagbuchhandlung, Stuttgart (E. Nägele), 1908
  3. ^ A b Walter Forster, Theodor A. Wohlfahrt: The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 .
  4. ↑ UK moths
  5. ↑ Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg - Volume 7, Nachtfalter V. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-8001-3500-0 .
  6. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany. Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

Web links

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