Sitochroa palealis
Möhrenzünsler ( Sitochroa palealis )
The Möhrenzünsler ( Sitochroa palealis ) is a butterfly of the family Crambidae. The species is widely distributed across Europe.
Features
The moths reach a wingspan from 26 to 32 millimeters (or a forewing length of 12 to 15 mm). The front and hind wings are white to creamy white, often tinged yellowish or slightly greenish. The wing venation is traced dark. In addition, the wings may be dusted with fine black dots. This Überstäubung is patchily enhanced at the outer end of the cell. In some specimens the costal edge of the approach of an outer transverse line can be seen.
The greenish, yellowish or reddish caterpillar has striking black warts. It has a darker dorsal line and darker side ridge lines and a yellowish- white colored head. Very striking are three black Pinnacula per segment on either side of the back.
The pupa is brown leather with papillöser, sometimes even wrinkled, shiny surface. It measures 10.5-11.5 × 3.5-3.8 mm. The cremaster is relatively short and broad, rounded and flattened. In each a dark brown colored box on the sides of Kremasters are four pairs of bristles. They are short, relatively thick and curved like a hook.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is widespread in Europe. It comes from Portugal and Britain in the west to the Urals. To the north it penetrates to southern Norway, southern Sweden and southern Finland, in the south to Italy, Greece and North Africa. In the east, the area through Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Siberia ( Buryatia ) to the Russian Far East, Japan, Korea and North China dates.
2004, the species was first detected in the United States. Evidence over six years indicated in four U.S. states indicate that the species has already established there.
It occurs mainly on warm locations of the open landscape, eg Meadows, clover fields and meadows and field margins relatively common.
Way of life
Sitochroa palealis forms per year from two generations, flying their Falter May to September. The moths are mainly crepuscular and nocturnal and come to artificial light sources. During the day, hidden in the vegetation, but are easy to track down. Occasionally they have also observed the day when visiting flowers. They suck the nectar of flowers.
The caterpillars live z.T. sociable in cocoons in the umbels of different Umbelliferae such as wild carrot (Daucus carota subsp. carota), mountain - hair strand ( Peucedanum oreoselinum ), Steppe fennel ( Seseli annuum ), Prussian Sermountain ( Laserpitium prutenium ) Ordinary Wiesensilge ( Silaum silaus ) and Hogweed ( Heracleum sphondylium ) whose inflorescences and seeds they eat. Pupation takes place after overwintering in a loose silk cocoon in the soil.