Anarta myrtilli
Heather Bunteule ( Anarta ( Anarta ) Myrtilli )
The heather - Bunteule or Heidekrauteulchen ( Anarta ( Anarta ) Myrtilli ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). The species is now the only genus Anarta, since all the other previously counted to species of this genus are now assigned to the genus Hadula or in the new genus Coranarta. The scientific name is derived from the blueberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus), but contrary to earlier assumptions, not one of the food plants of the caterpillars.
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 24-28 millimeters. The forewings have a lackluster gray-brown to bright violet -colored red-brown color. The pattern is irregular, but high-contrast white, yellow and black. There are several transverse bands visible. The whitish Subterminallinie is sinusoidal, the others are less wavy. Central to the fore wings is a white to off-white, triangular to rhomboid spot. The fringes on the wing outer edge are spotted white. The hind wings are on the basal half bright yellow to orange- yellow, the marginal field is wide dark blackish brown. Under hand is in the middle a small black spot. The abdomen is dark brown, each segment having a yellowish margin on the back end. The species is easy to determine just flown copies can be confused with Coranarta cordigera. This can, however, differ in particular by their white kidney-shaped stigma.
The caterpillars are up to 25 millimeters long and have a light to dark green colored body. They have a distinctive pattern of white and yellow dots, short lines and angles.
The pupa is dark brown with a stunted and eingerunzelten cremaster
Geographical distribution and habitat
The southern limit of distribution of the species extends from the south of Portugal and Spain, southern France and central Italy to the eastern Adriatic coast in Dalmatia, and on over the north of Serbia, Hungary, the Ukrainian Carpathians up to the suburbs of Moscow and east to the Urals. In the north of the border from the British Isles runs until after Fennoscandia about 70 ° north latitude. The species is also known from some parts of Morocco and missing contrary to earlier reports, both in Greenland and in North America.
It settles wet as dry habitats where heather ( Calluna vulgaris) grows, such as sandy heaths, parched Moore and also open fells. They are found from the plains to earnings by 2000 meters in the Alps.
Way of life
The moths fly in Central and Southern Europe in two generations from early May to early July and from late July to mid-August. In northern Europe, the British Isles and at higher altitudes only one generation in June / July occurs. They are diurnal and fly mainly in the late afternoon, but occasionally come to light at night. They can be in fast Schwirrflug during the flowering visit, especially to Heather, but also on cranberry (Vaccinium vitisidaea ) or Alpine Milchlattich ( Cicerbita alpina) watch. The females lay their eggs singly on the caterpillar food plants. The caterpillars can be found in central and southern Europe from August to September and from June to July. They feed on heather ( Calluna vulgaris) and Spring Heath (Erica carnea ), rarely by other heath species. During the rearing period and white willow (Salix alba ) is assumed. The caterpillars are mostly active during the day and eat upright, parallel to the twig sitting on the Endtrieben the plants where they are perfectly camouflaged by their coloring. They pupate in the soil, the doll pushes before hatching as far from the ground, that the moth can slip easily.
Threats and conservation
The species is on the Red List of endangered species in Germany listed on the early warning list (Category V). It is in several states at risk (category 3), in Thuringia endangered ( category 2) as well as threatened with extinction in Saxony-Anhalt (Category 1). In the Red List of Austria it is designated as endangered. Main hazard cause is the destruction of heathland, such as construction, afforestation, but also natural succession.