Hadula melanopa
Alpine meadows full - Zwergweideneule ( Hadula melanopa )
The alpine meadows full - Zwergweideneule ( Hadula melanopa ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). The species was attributed to earlier because of the external similarity of the genus Anarta, but is now reckoned due to the larger anatomical similarity to the genus Hadula.
Features
The Nordic moths of the nominate melanopa reach a wingspan of 20-26 mm, whose front wings have a brownish gray or pale gray color. The pattern is irregular provided with some small teardrop-shaped spots. Transverse and wavy lines stand out as well as ring and kidney blemish out dark. The hind wings are whitish with a clear center spot and show a broad, brown Saumfeld with white fringe. The ssp. brunnea are the hind wings also whitish in color and on the front wings and brighter orange-brown elements are often recognizable. The slightly larger ssp. rupestralis reaches a wingspan of 25 to 29 millimeters, and is distinguished by the strongly darkened, usually almost monochrome gray-brown hind wings of the nominate form.
The caterpillars have a reddish-brown. They have a distinctive pattern of white and dark brown spots on the sides. Back line is thin, pale ocher yellow and partly interrupted.
Geographical distribution and habitat
In northern Scandinavia is the type in the nominate melanopa, in the highlands of the Alps, in Balkan mountains and the Apennines in the ssp. rupestralis and in some mountainous areas of the British Isles in the ssp. brunnea represented. But you're lacking in the Carpathians and the Pyrenees. Preferred habitat is swamps above the tree line and rocky grassy slopes in high mountains to the snow line.
Way of life
The moths are active during the day and like to visit the flowers of stems Loose campion ( Silene acaulis) or saxifrage ( Saxifraga ). They fly in a generations of June to August. The caterpillars feed on polyphagous example of crowberry ( Empetrum ), blueberries (Vaccinium ), white mountain avens ( Dryas octopetala ) or low-growing species of willow ( Salix). and pupate in a solid cocoon in which the pupa is usually about two years.
Threats and conservation
The species occurs only in Germany in the Bavarian Alps and is on the Red List of endangered species in category 3 ( endangered) out. On very narrow places they can appear quite numerous.