Xestia ditrapezium
Keystone Bodeneule ( Xestia ditrapezium )
The trapezoidal Bodeneule ( Xestia ditrapezium ), also called Ditrapez - Erdeule, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 38-47 millimeters. The forewings have a comparatively narrow shape and are dark brown, reddish brown or purple brown. In the root field shows a small black spot. Intermediate ring and kidney blemish as well as the inner transverse line are large, further darkened, black spots, the C-shaped or U-shaped are sometimes connected. The outer transverse line is thin and double. The wavy line ends on Costalrand in a black stain. The hind wings are without markings yellow gray and always much brighter than the forewing.
Caterpillar, and chrysalis
Adults caterpillars have a gray-brown or red-brown color, a thin, dark line of the back and a brownish mottling. On the rearmost segments some blackish marks are visible. The doll is characterized by a dark brown color and two long, slightly curved thorns on the cremaster
Similar Species
A great similarity to the Triangle Bodeneule ( Xestia triangulum ) as well as for East Asian Art Xestia kollari. While triangulum lighter brown in color and has wider front wings to kollari differs mostly by a darker midfield and darker hind wings. The also like Black C ( Xestia c- nigrum) is indicated by the gray area between white kidney and ring stain.
Distribution and occurrence
The species occurs in western and central Europe, in the temperate zone to East Asia and Tibet. In the Alps, it rises to a height of about 1800 meters. The trapezoidal Bodeneule preferably inhabited forests, riparian zones of water bodies, shrub and bush areas and parklands.
Way of life
The nocturnal moths fly mainly from May to August in one generation a year. Visit artificial light sources as well as bait, and occasionally the flowers of the dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus ). The caterpillars are found from September. They feed on various plants, including:
- Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus),
- Raspberry (Rubus idaeus ),
- Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa),
- Birch (Betula ) and
- Alder ( Alnus ).
They overwinter and pupate in May of the following year in a hole in the ground.
Endangering
The trapezoidal Bodeneule is not regionally rare in Germany and is run on the Red List of Threatened Species as not at risk.