Colorful privet owl

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Colorful privet owl
Polyphaenis sericata 1.jpg

Multicolored Privet Owl ( Polyphaenis sericata )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Xyleninae
Genre : Polyphaenis
Type : Colorful privet owl
Scientific name
Polyphaenis sericata
( Esper , 1787)

The polyphaenis sericata ( Polyphaenis sericata ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of cutworms (Noctuidae).

features

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 34 to 42 millimeters. The brightly colored wings are striking. On the front wings a moss green Überstäubung is characteristic that comes especially in newly hatched individuals expressed, but faded noticeably due to progressive life. The double, white-filled transverse lines, the dark-edged ring and kidney flaws, monochrome blackish cone flaws and a dark field near the inner corner are other striking drawing elements. The hind wings are brightly orange-yellow and show a broad black band and a dark central spot.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are usually brownish in color. The black stripe on the back is lightly filled in at the segment incisions.

Similar species

  • The silver- gray band owl ( Epilecta linogrisea ) has narrower forewings with some silver-gray and reddish drawing elements and a somewhat narrower black band on the yellow hind wings, which also lacks a central spot.
  • The yellow-winged lawn owl ( Thalpophila matura ) has no greenish drawing elements on the front wings. The hind wings are also lighter yellow in color and do not have a central spot.
  • Polyphaenis propinqua only occurs in Asia Minor , so there isno geographical overlapwith sericata .
  • Olive nebula subsericata is much larger and differs primarily through the bright orange-red colored hind wings

distribution and habitat

The species is widespread throughout southern Europe. The variegated privet owl prefers forest edges and bushes with a strong privet portion ( Ligustris vulgaris ). However, it can also be found in settlement areas, provided that privet vegetation is present there.

Way of life

The moths are predominantly nocturnal and appear in artificial light sources and very much like on bait . Occasionally they also suckle on the flowers of meadow knapweed ( Centaurea jacea ) or butterfly lilac ( Buddleja davidii ). They fly in one generation from late June to mid-August. The caterpillars feed mainly on the leaves of the privet, more rarely on blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa ) and honeysuckle ( Lonicera ) or dogwood species ( Cornus ). They only eat at night, hibernate and pupate in May of the following year.

Danger

In Germany, the colorful privet owl occurs in Bavaria , Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate and is on the red list of endangered species on the warning list.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Michael Fibiger, Hermann Hacker: Amphipyrinae, Condicinae, Eriopinae, Xyleninae (part) . In: Michael Fibiger, László Ronkay, Barry Goater, Martin Honey (eds.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 9 . Entomological Press, Sorø 2007, ISBN 978-87-89430-11-9 (English).
  2. ↑ a b Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .
  3. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

literature

  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 6 . Moth IV. Noctuidae 2nd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1997, ISBN 3-8001-3482-9 .
  • Michael Fibiger, Hermann Hacker: Amphipyrinae, Condicinae, Eriopinae, Xyleninae (part) . In: Michael Fibiger, László Ronkay, Barry Goater, Martin Honey (eds.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 9 . Entomological Press, Sorø 2007, ISBN 978-87-89430-11-9 (English).

Web links

Commons : Colorful Privet Owl  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files