Whitish lichen owl

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Whitish lichen owl
Cryphia domestica01.jpg

Whitish lichen owl ( Bryophila domestica )

Systematics
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Owl butterfly (Noctuidae)
Subfamily : Bryophilinae
Genre : Bryophila
Type : Whitish lichen owl
Scientific name
Bryophila domestica
( Hufnagel , 1766)

The whitish lichen owl ( Bryophila domestica ), also known as the little lichen owl, is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the owl butterflies (Noctuidae).

features

butterfly

The moths reach a wingspan of about 20 to 26 millimeters. Their forewings are narrow and mostly of a yellow-white basic color. Cross lines, flaws and middle shadows shimmer gray-blue, blue-green or yellow-brown. The strongly curved inner transverse line always reaches the front edge of the forewings. There are several small, black arrow marks in the border area. The hind wings are light gray to whitish and sometimes show an indistinct, dark central spot and white fringes.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are colored dark gray-blue. The black back line is bordered on both sides with a wide red and yellow border. They also have white side stripes as well as black point warts and stigmas .

Similar species

The light green lichen owl ( Nyctobrya muralis ) has a predominant green color. With a wingspan of 25 to 31 millimeters, it is also significantly larger than domestica .

Synonyms

  • Cryphia domestica
  • Bryophila perla
  • Noctua perla
  • Phalaena domestica

Distribution and occurrence

The whitish lichen owl is distributed locally through Europe, occurring in the south to Sicily and in the north to Gotland . The eastern distribution to the Asian region has to be further investigated. In the Alps it rises to over 2000 meters. The species prefers to inhabit rock faces, terraced vineyards , gorges, quarries and rubble corridors.

Way of life

The moths are nocturnal, fly from July to August and live very inconspicuously. During the day they like to sit on rocks or walls overgrown with lichen, and at night they sometimes visit artificial light sources as well as bait or suckle on the blossoms of knapweed ( Centaurea ). The caterpillars feed on lichens and algae from September . They overwinter and pupate in May of the following year.

Danger

In Germany the white lichen owl is widespread in different frequencies and is classified in category 3 (endangered) on the red list of endangered species . In Baden-Württemberg , however, it is on the pre-warning list.

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. ^ 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. ↑ Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 4/1: Owls. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1954, DNB 450378373 .
  4. ↑ 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 .

Web links

Commons : Whitish lichen owl ( Cryphia domestica )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files