Yellowish stone owl
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Yellowish stone owl ( Polymixis flavicincta ) |
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Systematics | ||||||||||||
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Scientific name | ||||||||||||
Polymixis flavicincta | ||||||||||||
( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775) |
The yellowish stone owl ( Polymixis flavicincta ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae). The specific epithet is based on the Latin words flavus (yellow) and cinctus (belt) and refers to the yellow scales on the upper side of the forewing.
features
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 39 to 46 millimeters. The basic color of the upper side of the forewing varies widely and ranges from light gray to dark gray-brown. The yellow scales on the upper side of the forewing are typical of the species. The midfield is slightly darkened, the submarginal region slightly brightened. Ring and kidney defects are filled with whitish tones. The upper sides of the hind wings are whitish in the males and light brown-gray in the females.
egg
The egg has a hemispherical shape and a sharply flattened base. It is dark yellowish to reddish in color, shows a large crimson central point and is covered with wavy longitudinal ribs.
Caterpillar
Fully grown caterpillars are bright green to yellow-green in color and covered with very small white dots on the back and sides. The segment incisions are yellowish, the broad lateral stripe whitish to yellowish, the spiracles white.
Doll
The red-brown slender doll has a short cremaster with two thorns .
Similar species
- Polymixis sublutea is distinguished by its narrow fore wings and the absence of colored scales.
- Polymixis ruficincta mostly shows individual reddish scales on the upper side of the fore wing and also differs in the very light upper side of the hind wing.
- The lichen-colored stone owl ( Polymixis lichenea ) is less contrasting and differs through olive-green over-dusting on the forewings.
- The blue-gray stone owl ( Polymixis xanthomista ) differs through the orange colored over-dusting on the front wings.
- The olive-brown stone owl ( Polymixis polymita ) differs through the olive-brown over-dusting on the front wings.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is distributed from north-west Africa through western and southern Europe, but is very local and regionally lost in northern and eastern Europe. The main habitat are warm and dry, light forest areas.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate form Polymixis flavicincta flavicincta , four other subspecies are known:
- Polymixis flavicincta lajonquierei Boursin , 1963, in Spain ( Burgos )
- Polymixis flavicincta meridionalis ( Boisduval , 1840), in France and Corsica
- Polymixis flavicincta caroli Plante , 1975, in Algeria
- Polymixis flavicincta laportei Plante , 1975, in Morocco
Way of life
The yellowish stone owl forms one generation per year. The moths fly from August to October. They are nocturnal and visit flowers, artificial light sources and bait . The caterpillars feed on a variety of lower plants, such as soap herbs ( Saponaria ), dead nettles ( Lamium ) and primroses ( Primula ). The species overwinters in the egg stage.
swell
Individual evidence
- ^ Arnold Spuler: The Butterflies of Europe , Volume 1, Schweitzerbartsche Verlagbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1908
- ↑ a b c d László Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 5 Hadeninae II. , Entomological Press, Sorø, 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 , pp. 220/221
- ↑ Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 4: Owls. (Noctuidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-440-03752-5 , p. 206.
literature
- László Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Noctuidae Europaeae Volume 5 Hadeninae II. , Entomological Press, Sorø, 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 , pp. 220/221
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. - Taxonomy and photos
- nic.funet.fi - dissemination
- ukmoths - UKMoths
- Polymixis flavicincta in Fauna Europaea. Retrieved October 14, 2016