Dasypolia templi
Hogweed Rauhaareule ( Dasypolia templi )
The Hogweed Rauhaareule ( Dasypolia templi ) or Tempeleule is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan is about 42 to 56 millimeters. The color of the forewing is quite variable and varies from ocher- yellow to green- gray or dark brown gray, sometimes with indistinct, marked by bright dots or bright interior filled Swap. The transverse lines are dark serrated and often washed out. The hind wings vary attenuated in the coloration of the forewing, but are always a bit brighter and have two weak transverse lines. The following forms are described:
- F templi nominate ocher yellow forewings
- F variegata with blue-gray to green- gray forewings
- F alpina form of the Alps, which is colored a bit darker and more colorful
The proboscis of the moths is stunted.
Egg, caterpillar and chrysalis
The egg is hemispherical, strongly flattened at the base and strongly ribbed. It is at first yellowish, later full red with a dark spot at the upper pole and even such ring underneath. The caterpillars are yellowish to white. The back is tinted pale pink and has large, black dot warts. The head is dark brown. The pupa is reddish-brown, slim and has two spines on the cremaster.
Distribution and habitat
The species is distributed locally in Europe, mainly in the boreal - alpine areas, but only a few places frequently. In the Alps, it comes from the valley to over 2,000 meters before. The Hogweed Rauhaareule is moisture- loving and prefers shady valleys, forest edges and wet meadows.
Way of life
It makes one generation per year. Since the moths overwinter, they appear early in the year to the first warmer evenings and fly up in May. In the Alps, they can already be observed during the snowmelt. The moths are nocturnal and like to fly to artificial light sources. Eggs are laid on the flowers of the foodplant. The caterpillars live in June and July. They feed on Hogweed ( Heracleum sphondylium ), first of the flowers, then from the fresh stems and last of the roots. Pupation takes place in the rootstock. The new generation moths appear from the end of July.
Endangering
In Germany the species is found only in a few states and is out on the red list of endangered species in Category 2 ( high risk ).