Vittaplusia vittata
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Vittaplusia vittata |
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| ( Wallengren , 1856) |
Vittaplusia vittata is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of owl butterflies (Noctuidae) that occursin Asia and Australia. The species was described as Plusia vittata in 1856. In the literature it can also be found as Ctenoplusia vittata or Trichoplusia transfixa .
features
butterfly
The wingspan is 36 to 40 millimeters. Gray tints are predominant on the upper forewing. In Vittaplusia vittata, the typical silver stain visible in the discal region for many gold owl species ( Plusiinae ) has been transformed into a narrow, cream-colored oblique line, which is bordered in black on both sides. The upper side of the hind wing is gray-brown in color, somewhat lighter in the root field. On the head of the moth there is a dense head of gray hair. The body is furry and has short tufts of hair.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are colored green. They show several white and yellow back lines, a wide white side stripe, small light-colored point warts with short, thin whitish hair and black stigmas .
Similar species
The similar Ctenoplusia albostriata occurs in East Asia and Australia. Thus there is no geographical overlap with Vittaplusia vittata .
Distribution and occurrence
Vittaplusia vittata occurs in sub- Saharan Africa and the Middle East . The species is also native to the islands of Madagascar , Mauritius , Réunion , St. Helena, as well as to the Canary Islands and Cyprus . Evidence from Great Britain is believed to be imported individuals. The species prefers dry areas such as savannahs .
Way of life
The moths fly in several generations a year, mainly in the months of February and May and July to August. They are predominantly nocturnal and love to fly to artificial light sources . The leaves of Solanum crinitum ( syn .: Solanum macranthum ) and Erigeron albidas are the preferred food source for the caterpillars . The moths hatch seven to ten days after pupation .
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e Barry Goater, László Ronkay, Michael Fibiger: Catocalinae & Plusiinae. Noctuidae Europaeae, Volume 10., Sorø, 2003, ISBN 87-89430-08-5 , pp. 181/182
- ↑ Flight times at iNaturalist
literature
- Barry Goater, László Ronkay, Michael Fibiger: Catocalinae & Plusiinae. Noctuidae Europaeae, Volume 10., Sorø, 2003, ISBN 87-89430-08-5
Web links
- Lepiforum eV - taxonomy and photos
- www.nic.funet.fi - dissemination
- pyrgus.de - Butterflies and their ecology
- africanmoths.com - African Moths
- ukmoths.org - UKmoths