Bryophila ravula

Brownish Flechteneule ( Bryophila ravula )

The Brownish Flechteneule ( Bryophila ravula ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).

• 6.1 Notes and references
• 6.2 Literature

Features

Butterfly

The wingspan of the moth in the nominate Bryophila ravula ravula between 24 and 30 millimeters. Their forewings are narrow, showing a dark gray to reddish-brown color and have a dark brown to black transverse line just behind the most obscure renal blemish on. The kidneys blemish itself is often in a brown band that stands out from a slightly brighter, nearby at the wing root. In the most narrow -bladed ssp. Bryophila ravula grisescens is the basic color usually gray. Their wingspan is 23 to 26 millimeters. The ssp. Bryophila ravula ereptriculoides is, however breitflügeliger and has a wingspan of 23-28 millimeters. It also shows at times cloudy in the basal region and at the apex. The visually marked hind wings of all forms have a gray-brown color.

Caterpillar

Younger caterpillars are gray blue and orange stripes have that dissolve in older animals in spots. They also show large, black dot warts.

Similar Species

• Grey Schildflechteneule ( Bryophila raptricula )
• Dark green Flechteneule ( Cryphia algae )
• Brown Grey Flechteneule ( Cryphia fraudatricula )
• Bryophila ereptricula

Since the lichen species of owls are often very similar, a reliable assignment in many cases is only possible through a genitalmorphologische investigation.

Geographical distribution and occurrence

The Brownish Flechteneule distribution ranging from North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula, France and Switzerland to Germany. Preferred habitat is warm, rocky slopes and wine regions.

Way of life

The moths are nocturnal, flying from June to August and live very quietly. They sit during the day like at overgrown with lichen rocks or walls and visit at night artificial light sources. The caterpillars live in September, overwinter and pupate in May of the following year. They feed on various species of lichens in particular of the genus Caloplaca. During the day they rest usually in a self-made cave dwelling, which is often applied in wall cracks.

Endangering

In Germany, the Brownish Flechteneule occurs only in some southern and western states and is on the Red List of endangered species in category 3 ( endangered) classified.

Subspecies

• Bryophila ravula ravula ( Hübner, 1813)
• Bryophila ravula grisescens ( Oberthuer, 1918)
• Bryophila ravula ereptriculoides ( Boursin, 1952)

Swell