Calophasia lunula
Möndcheneule ( Calophasia lunula )
The Möndcheneule ( Calophasia lunula ), also known as light gray - Kappeneule toadflax, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
With a wingspan from 26 to 32 millimeters count the butterflies to the smaller cutworm species. The forewings are gray brown and show strip-shaped, white -gray interference. The name derives from the striking prominent crescent-shaped, white kidney blemish. The ring stain are boxed punctiform and black. The midfield, which is framed by bright lines cross is narrow and obscured. At the outer edge of the fringe is alternately colored brown and white. The hind wings are without markings dark gray brown in color, brightened somewhat in the root zone and show white fringe. Characteristic are hood -like tufts of hair on the head and thorax.
Egg
The yellowish egg is tapered with a blunt tip. The surface is covered with strong longitudinal ribs.
Caterpillar
Full-grown caterpillars have a whitish or yellow ground color of the stand out two minor ridgelines formed of large black spots. The flanks are provided with a plurality of randomly oriented, small black points.
Doll
The pupa is reddish-brown with darker segment rings. On each side is a row of darker points, one point per each segment. The doll is relatively stocky with short cone-shaped abdomen ( tummy). The obtuse cremaster bears four short bristles. The proboscis sheath is extremely long and reaches the end of the abdomen or extends beyond it even slightly.
Similar Species
- The moths of Calophasia hamiferaii have a generally darker and poorer contrast appearance.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The occurrence of the species extends throughout Central and Southern Europe to Russia and Central and East Asia. But you're lacking in Japan. In order to combat toadflax ( Linaria ) the Möndcheneule was introduced in 1965 in North America and therefore is also found in parts of Canada and the United States. In the Alps it is found up to 2000 meters in altitude. The species prefers inhabited warm slopes, heathland and Ödländereien.
Way of life
The Möndcheneule forms depending on the region two or three overlapping generations; in Scandinavia, it is only one generation, in southern Europe it is up to three generations. The moths fly correspondingly from April to September. They are mostly active at dawn, but also visit the day flowers, such as those of bladder campion ( Silene vulgaris). Only occasionally they appear at night with artificial light sources or applied baits. Up to 400 eggs are laid individually or in small groups, to the underside of the leaves or the stems of crop plants of the crawler. These are different Leinkrautarten ( Linaria spp.). The caterpillars of all stages feed on the leaves, flowers and finer stems. Pupation takes place in a tough silken cocoon, is included in the organic material, on the ground or in the leaf litter. The species overwinters as a pupa, a part of the population might overwinter as a caterpillar.
Under favorable growth conditions (21 ° C and 16 hours of daylight ) the Möndcheneule need 55 up to 56 days development time of the filing of the egg to hatch the moth. The development time is greatly dependent on the temperature. How does the development at 30 ° C, only about 25 days. The lower limit at which the manner yet to be developed is located at about 13.5 ° C.
Endangering
In Germany the Möndcheneule occurs mainly in the southern and central provinces. It is listed on the Red List of Threatened Species as not at risk.