Egira conspicillaris
Holzrindeneule ( Aigeira conspicillaris )
The Holzrindeneule ( Aigeira conspicillaris ), also referred to as broom - Holzrindeneule, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
With a wingspan of the moth from 36 to 44 millimeters, the type is one of the medium sized cutworm species. The fore wings are narrow and elongated. At the outer edge a slight constriction is visible. With respect to the color, there is a wide variation. So there are both pale light brown colored specimens without striking drawing elements as well as black-brown tinted animals with distinct white boxes near the apex and inner angle between midfield and in the inner edge region. The latter color variation is due primarily to the female moths. The hind wings shimmer silky white and leave the dark veins stand out clearly.
Egg, caterpillar, pupa
The hemispherical egg is colored white as chalk, at the upper pole but reddish yellow. The surface is provided with weakly developed ribs.
Young caterpillars are greenish. Adult animals change their color to brownish, are bright speckled and have a wide, bright side stripes.
The squat doll has a red-brown tint and a blunt cremaster with two short peaks and two curved thorns.
Similar Species
- Aigeira tibori distinguished by the slightly wider front wings.
- Aigeira anatolica shows high-contrast drawing elements.
The differences Aigeira conspicillaris are low in the two species mentioned above, but can be a reliable determination by a genitalmorphologische analysis.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The Holzrindeneule is eastward spread in Europe from the Iberian Peninsula to Russia. To the north it comes to the Baltic, in the south to North Africa. The area extends from there through the Mediterranean to the Middle East and the Caspian Sea. In the Alps, it is still to be found at altitudes of approximately 1600 meters. Main habitat is heath areas, clearings, forest edges, gardens and parklands.
Way of life
The nocturnal moths fly in April and May in one generation and visit artificial light sources as well as bait and blooming pussy willow. Occasionally they have also been observed when sucking on butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii ). The caterpillars live from May to July and feed preferentially from dyer's broom ( Genista tinctoria ), Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius ) or Real Clematis (Clematis vitalba ). They overwinter as a pupa.
Endangering
In Germany the Holzrindeneule is widespread and locally as often. On the red list of endangered species will therefore be listed as endangered.