Catephia alchymista
White ribbon ( Catephia Alchymista )
The White ribbon ( Catephia Alchymista ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). The German name "White ribbon " is systematically somewhat misleading, because the way does not belong to the genre of classical Ribbons ( Catocala ), but forms a separate genus.
- 6.1 Literature
- 6.2 Notes and references
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 42-48 millimeters. The forewings are black, which means shadow jet black, the narrow outer edge hem is brown. The hind wings are blackish with a large, round, white stain and white root Saumfleck at the tip and at the inner angle.
Egg, caterpillar and chrysalis
The egg is semi-spherical having many straight longitudinal ribs and of a black color. The caterpillar is elongated with very long wishbones. It is light gray or brown with numerous black dots. On the back of the 4th and 11th of each segment two small cone-shaped wart-like elevations. The doll is slender, reddish brown with a bluish ring.
Similar Species
The White ribbon is somewhat similar to the fence winch Trust Owl ( Aedia funesta ). It differs mainly in that it is larger and has no bright spot on the upper wing.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The white ribbon is widely used in large parts of southern and central Europe. In the north, the range extends to Latvia and Lithuania. In the east, the distribution area pulls through southern Russia to the Urals. It also occurs on the larger islands of the Mediterranean (including Cyprus), North Africa and Asia Minor. In Israel, the species is detected. However, the species is nowhere common. Occasionally it is observed in England as a migrant in the Southern Alps, there is up to 800 meters in front. The species is found in areas with oak trees, as in oak and mixed forests, riparian forests, bushy heaths and parklands.
Way of life
The White ribbon usually forms only one generation per year in favorable years and a partial second generation. Presumably it is purely univoltine in Central Europe, at least was found for the Baden- Württemberg. The moths fly from late May to late July, the second generation in August / September. The moths rest during the day sitting on the trunks and is only active late at night. You like to fly artificial light sources, suck on bleeding trees and visit also designed bait. The caterpillars live in July and August. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the oak tree, particularly of the young shoots of oak bushes. The pupa overwinters.
Endangering
The White ribbon is placed on the Red List of Threatened Species BRD category 2 as " critically endangered ". In some federal states (Baden -Württemberg, North Rhine -Westphalia, Saxony and Thuringia ) is even classified in Category 1 ( " Endangered" ) the type.
Systematics and Taxonomy
The species was described in 1775 by Michael Denis Johann Ignaz and Schiffermueller as Noctua Alchymista first time scientifically. It is the type species of the genus Catephia Ochsenheimer, 1816, which currently includes about 60 species. However, the current state of knowledge of the genus very unbefriedigendyref name = " Goater " />. The genus is classified in the tribe Ophiusini.