Dead leaf (reticulated wing)
| Dead leaf | ||||||||||||
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Dead leaf ( Drepanepteryx phalaenoides ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Drepanepteryx phalaenoides | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The dead leaf ( Drepanepteryx phalaenoides ) or aphid lion is a reticulated wing of the day-like family (Hemerobiidae).
features
The animals have a forewing length of 11 to 16 millimeters and are thus the largest diurnal in Central Europe. Their body is colored brown and imitates the appearance of a withered leaf ( mimetic ). The dead leaf differs from the similar Drepanepteryx algida by its fore wings, which are double crescent-shaped indented behind the tip, and the very strong outward widening of the costal field, behind which the animals can retract their heads in case of danger. In addition, the dead leaf is significantly larger.
Occurrence
The species occurs in Europe , with the main distribution area being Central Europe . You can find the animals from the lowlands to the montane or subalpine level in light forests, but also in parks and gardens. They fly in one or two generations from January to November. They are usually rare and only occur in large numbers in some places.
Way of life
The dead leaf larvae develop on various deciduous trees and shrubs, such as oak , elm , elder or fruit trees. They are rarely found on fir trees . The overwintering takes place as an imago .
swell
literature
- E. Wachmann, C. Saure: Netzflügler, mud and camel neck flies - observation, way of life . Naturbuch Verlag, Augsburg 2001, ISBN 3-894-40222-9
