Agrochola macilenta

Yellow-brown Herbsteule ( Agrochola macilenta )

The Yellow-brown Herbsteule ( Agrochola macilenta ), also known as mixed beech forest - Herbsteule and Yellow-brown Eichenherbsteule, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).

Features

The moths have a wingspan of 29-40 mm. The ground color of head, thorax and forewings varies from pale ocher to almost orange brown. The drawing elements also vary widely in intensity; they are usually weak, but can sometimes also be very clearly visible. The inner and outer transverse line are heavily jagged, mostly drawn easily and often interrupted. In some instances only the outward tips of the prongs are drawn dark. The binding agent is almost always pale, diffuse and usually reddish brown. The wavy line is reddish brown. Ring spot or blemish kidneys are relatively large, the kidney blemish quite wide. Both flaws are outlined in red-brown, the border can be in some specimens also interrupted. The lower third of the kidney blemish is dark brown in color with a few scattered white gray scales.

The hind wings are pale ocher with a strong brown gray Überstäubung, the inner area is slightly lighter. The Diskalfleck is relatively large, but diffuse.

The hemispherical egg is first dyed yellow and brown gray before hatching. The surface is covered with weak, but strong wavy longitudinal ribs.

The caterpillar is relatively compact, reddish colored with a small, reddish brown head. The back and side back lines are brightly colored. The back line widens from about the 3rd or 4th segment, each in the posterior third of the segment to a spot.

The doll has an indistinct trained cremaster. Two hooks bristles extend beyond the remaining smaller bristles.

Geographical distribution and habitat

The species is widely distributed in the European part of the Mediterranean basin and in Central and Northern Europe. But you're lacking in central and southern Spain and in most of the larger Mediterranean islands with the exception of Sicily. In the north, the range extends to southern Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, southern Sweden and southern Finland ). In the east, the northern limit of distribution cuts across central Russia to the Urals Mountains. In the south, the species occurs over Asia Minor and Cyprus prior to the Caucasus region.

The species occurs in wooded to open, warm, dry to moderately moist habitats in the plains and hills. In the Alps, the nature rises to 1000 m above sea level.

Way of life

The Yellow-brown Herbsteule is one generation per year, flying the moth from late August to early December. In rare cases, the winter moths. Usually the egg overwinters.

The caterpillars initially feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees and shrubs, the adult caterpillars rather of herbaceous plants. At caterpillar food plants mentioned: hornbeam (Carpinus ), hawthorn (Crataegus ), beech (Fagus ), poplar (Populus ), Prunus, elm (Ulmus ), willow ( Salix) and oak (Quercus ), as well as herbaceous plants heather ( Calluna ) Hawkweed ( Hieracium ) and plantains ( Plantago ).

Endangering

The species is regarded in Germany as not at risk.

System

Currently, the Yellow-brown Herbsteule is divided into two subspecies. The Nominatunterart

  • Agrochola macilenta macilenta, in by far the largest part of the range and
  • Agrochola macilenta rubrescens Wiltshire, in 1939, which is restricted to Cyprus.

Swell

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