Small Heath (butterfly)
Small Heath ( Coenonympha pamphilus )
The Small Heath ( Coenonympha pamphilus ) is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ) and is also known as Small Clouded Yellow.
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Description
The moths reach a wingspan of 23-33 millimeters. They have brownish ocher-colored or slightly reddish amber Walking Wings tops with a non -clear-cut, gray border and a faded, dark spot near the tip of the forewing. The hind wings undersides of Coenonympha pamphilus are variable, white yellow, gray or grayish and have a suggested light transverse band. The undersides of the forewings are colored orange and have a strong white cored and bright -rimmed eye-spot near the blade tip which is sometimes lacking or may be reduced.
The caterpillars are about 18 mm long. They are bright green and carry on the back a dark, bright -lined longitudinal line. Depending on the sides they have a more easily recognizable white line. At the end of the abdomen protrudes a small, pink tip.
Similar Species
- Corsican Clouded Yellow ( Coenonympha corinna ) ( Satyridae ) Occurrence in Corsica (France), Capraia and Sardinia (Italy).
- Red Brown Heath ( Coenonympha glycerion ) ( Satyridae )
- Coenonympha dorus fettigii ( Oberthuer, 1874)
Occurrence
The species is widespread in most of Europe and often, but not on Orkney, Shetland, Crete and the islands of the south-eastern Aegean Sea. It also comes in North Africa, Turkey and the Middle East before to Mongolia. In the vertical spread the butterflies reach 1,950 m above sea level, in North Africa even 2,700 m. They live in grassy terrain such as on dry grassland, mountain meadows, forest edges and in sand and gravel pits.
Flight time
The moths fly in several generations (usually two or three) from February to November. The appearance of the first generation and in numbers, is very much on the climate of the habitat -dependent.
Food of the caterpillars
As a caterpillar food plants serve Genuine sheep fescue ( Festuca ovina ), Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis) and several other Süßgrasarten.
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on dry stalks close to the ground. The caterpillars develop at different rates. The one pupate and hatch after a total of a few weeks, others eat nothing more early and prepare for the winter before. The caterpillars of the last generation overwinter always adolescent. The animals pupate near the ground to plant in a light green Stürzpuppe that is strong stocky and on the wing sheaths, bearing one or two dark stripes that are wide bright hemmed.