Variable kitten owl

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Variable kitten owl
Orthosia incerta01.jpg

Variable kitten owl ( Orthosia (Orthosia) incerta )

Systematics
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Hadeninae
Genre : Orthosia
Subgenus : Orthosia
Type : Variable kitten owl
Scientific name
Orthosia (Orthosia) incerta
( Hufnagel , 1766)
Gray color variant of the variable kitten owl

The variable kitten owl ( Orthosia (Orthosia) incerta ) or violet-gray spring owl is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae).

features

butterfly

As the name of the species suggests, the medium-sized moths with a wingspan of 31 to 37 millimeters are extremely variable in terms of color. The color spectrum of the forewings ranges from light gray, violet-gray, blue-gray, reddish-gray, red-brown to black-brown with all shades in between. The flaws are outlined in light, the dark wavy line is mostly interrupted. The middle shadow usually stands out dark. The outer lines are often dissolved into dark points. The hind wings shimmer in a grayish-brown colorless manner.

Egg, caterpillar

Caterpillar

The hemispherical egg is colored gray and shows strongly wavy ribs and a dark central spot with an equally colored band. The caterpillars are green in color with whitish droplets and yellow back and side lines.

Similar species

Outwardly, Orthosia incerta cannot be distinguished from its allopatric sister species Orthosia manfredi , which, however, only occurs in the Atlas Mountains . A genital examination is required for an unequivocal determination . Due to the great variety of colors, it can also be confused with other owl butterfly species.

Geographical distribution and habitat

The occurrence of the species extends through all countries in Europe to East Asia including Japan . It is only missing in the very north of Fennos Scandinavia . In the Alps it occurs up to an altitude of 2000 meters. The variable kitten owl is at home in a wide variety of habitats, for example in deciduous forests, on bushy meadows and in cultivated landscapes.

Way of life

The moths are crepuscular and nocturnal and visit artificial light sources and bait , but prefer flowering pussy willows for feeding . Their very early flight time also runs largely parallel to the willow blossom ( Salix ) and therefore mainly covers the months of March to May. The caterpillars live in May and June. They feed on the leaves of various plants, for example poplar ( Populus ), birch ( Betula ), willow ( Salix ) and oak species ( Quercus ) as well as blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa ) and others. They are also considered to be outright murder caterpillars . The species overwinters as a pupa .

Danger

The variable kitten owl is widespread in Germany and is very common in some areas, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "common deciduous forest spring owl". Accordingly, it is classified as not endangered on the Red List of Endangered Species .

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ^ 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 .
  2. ↑ 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).
  3. ^ Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 7 . Moth V Noctuidae 3rd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1998, ISBN 3-8001-3500-0 .
  4. ^ A b Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 4/1: Owls. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1954, DNB 450378373 .
  5. ↑ 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 7 . Moth V Noctuidae 3rd part. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 1998, ISBN 3-8001-3500-0 .
  • 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).

Web links

Commons : Variable kitten owl  album with pictures, videos and audio files