Agriphila straminella
Agriphila straminella
Agriphila straminella is a domestic in Central Europe and very common (small) butterfly of the family Crambidae.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The drawing poor moths have a wingspan of 16-23 mm. In contrast, the ground color varies somewhat, ranging from pale yellow to dark brown. The veining is highlighted by a Überstäubung with darker scales. On Kostal edge a dark line runs. The hemline has a black point row. The hind wings are whitish - ocher to gray- brown. Head and thorax are ocher, the abdomen gray-brown. The sensors are ciliate, but the cilia of the female are finer than those of the male.
The egg is oval, the surface is ribbed tight and forms a finer Querrippung a fine reticular pattern. It is when filing yellowish white and pink colors after some time.
The caterpillar is yellowish gray, brownish gray to light reddish gray with a relatively small black head. Head and anal shield are also light brown and shiny.
The light brown doll is penetrated; the ends of the elytra are yellowish brown. The strongly developed cremaster other hand, is dark brown in color.
Similar Species
The species is similar Chrysoteuchia culmella ( Linnaeus ); this kind, however, is slightly larger and has a much drawn submarginale transverse line.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species occurs in almost all of Europe. However, it is missing on the Mediterranean islands and Greece. It is also detected in the Iberian peninsula and Italy rather sparse. In the north, the distribution area to Lapland east ranges, east to Siberia and the Russian Far. In southern Asia the incidence Asia Minor, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and Central Asia runs. It also occurs in the Nearctic ( Canada).
The species occurs in open, dry and fresh grassland relatively common and widespread.
Way of life
Agriphila straminella forms one generation a year, flying their Falter May to August. The caterpillars appear from about June and winter. The moths are crepuscular and nocturnal and come to artificial light sources. The males can be easily startle during the day out of the grass, the females live longer hidden under tufts of grass. The caterpillars feed on grasses ( eg Genuine sheep fescue, Festuca ovina and Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis); they feed in and on the stems. Even the stems of wheat ( Triticum ) and barley ( Hordeum ) are befressen. The caterpillars live in a vertical web tube that is attached to the stems of grasses close to the earth and associated with similar web tubes. The caterpillars overwinter and pupate in an egg-shaped cocoon, which is covered with grass parts.
Systematics and Taxonomy
The taxon was described in 1775 by Michael Denis Johann Ignaz and Schiffermueller as tinea straminella first time scientifically. The holotype is lost and came from around Vienna.
In older plants, the kind under the name combinations Crambus culmellus ( Linnaeus ) bzw.Agriphila culmella ( Linnaeus ) can be found. However, tinea culmella Linnaeus, 1758 denotes a different kind, which is now made to Chrysoteuchia; Chrysoteuchia culmella ( Linnaeus, 1758).