European beech yellow owl

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European beech yellow owl
European beech yellow owl (Tiliacea aurago). Moths with partially missing scaling at the apex.

European beech yellow owl ( Tiliacea aurago ).
Moths with partially missing scaling at the apex.

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Xyleninae
Genre : Tiliacea
Type : European beech yellow owl
Scientific name
Tiliacea aurago
( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775)

The red beech yellow owl ( Tiliacea aurago , syn .: Xanthia aurago ), also known as gold yellow owl or beech gold owl , is a butterfly from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae). The name aurago is derived from the Latin "aurum" = gold.

features

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 29 to 38 millimeters. The color in the middle of the forewings varies from golden yellow to orange-red. The basal and border areas shimmer in dark red, violet-brown or gray-yellow. Kidney and ring flaws are darkened, but mostly indistinct. In the vicinity of the apex as well as in the root field at the front edge, bright, yellowish spots can often be seen. The hind wings are markedly yellow to reddish in color, darker in the border area.

egg

The egg is flat, conical, truncated at the top and shows very broad longitudinal ribs. It is initially brownish red and takes on a gray-brown tint shortly before the caterpillars hatch.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars have a cylindrical shape, are poorly marked and have a brownish, sometimes slightly reddish or greenish color. They are smooth and translucent. The thin back and side back lines, like the point warts, have a whitish color. The spiracles are black. The very small head is striking.

Similar species

Although the red beech yellow owl varies greatly in color on the forewings, it can be easily distinguished from other yellow owl species due to the distinctive yellow to reddish brown hind wings.

Geographical distribution and habitat

The species is widespread in Europe as far as Turkey and is only absent in the northernmost regions as well as in southern Spain and southern Greece . In the Alps it rises to heights of 1,100 meters. The animals are mainly found in beech forests, mixed forests, on the edges of forests, sunny slopes and in park landscapes.

Way of life

The moths are crepuscular and nocturnal and live from August to October. They like to visit laid baits and also appear at artificial light sources at night . During the day they sometimes rest on the ground between withered leaves and are therefore difficult to see. The egg is hibernating. The caterpillars are mainly found on the common beech ( Fagus sylvatica ), also on the hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus ) as well as on the oaks ( Quercus ) and blueberries ( Vaccinium myrtillus ). They first feed on the buds of the hardwood, then on the flowers and later on the leaves. The caterpillar season covers the months April to June.

Danger

The beech yellow owl is widespread in the German federal states and is classified as not endangered on the red list of endangered species .

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Lázló Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Hadeninae II . In: Michael Fibiger, Martin Honey (Ed.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 5 . Entomological Press, Sorø 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 (English).
  2. ^ 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 .
  3. ^ 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 .
  4. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

literature

  • Lázló Ronkay, José Luis Yela & Márton Hreblay: Hadeninae II . In: Michael Fibiger, Martin Honey (Ed.): Noctuidae Europaeae . tape 5 . Entomological Press, Sorø 2001, ISBN 87-89430-06-9 (English).
  • 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 .

Web links

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