Catocala dilecta
Catocala dilecta
Catocala dilecta is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 78 to 84 millimeters. They are among the larger species within the genus of the Ribbons ( Catocala ). The front wings are usually dark brown in color. The black outer cross line is characterized by a marked inward peak near the inner edge and a striking outwardly double peak at the top. Blemish taking nearly nothing from the underground. The hind wings are bright red and have a wide black Saumbinde and a strong corrugated black middle binding that reaches the inner edge usually. On the underside of the hind wings are usually a strong black line from the center spot moves through the Diskoidalzelle to the wing base.
Egg
The hemispherical egg is dark brown to reddish-brown and with white-yellow spotting. It is not ribbed. The center rosette is surrounded by two to five leaf garlands.
Caterpillar
Adults caterpillars appear in a brownish, gray or green-gray color. On the eighth segment, a transverse ridge and small reddish warts located on the entire length.
Doll
The slender, brown doll is coated with a whitish frost and shows the wrinkled cremaster four long and some short hook bristles.
Similar Species
A great similarity to the slightly smaller Great Eichenkarmin ( Catocala sponsa ), whose wingspan is 68 to 74 millimeters. This differs by bright spots in the field of kidney blemish and the wavy black middle band on the hind wings, which does not reach the inner edge. Another distinguishing feature is that the strong black line from the center spot on the underside of the hind wings usually missing by the Diskoidalzelle to the wing base.
The large species Red Underwing (Catocala nupta ) ( wingspan 78-84 mm) and Pappelkarmin ( Catocala elocata ) ( wingspan 80-86 mm) are easier to distinguish, as forewings tend more to gray-brown color and the black middle band on the hind wings less is strongly curled.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is patchy distribution ranging from North West Africa through southern Europe to Asia Minor. The northernmost occurrence affects some regions in the center of France and in eastern Austria. In older data from Baden- Württemberg, it should be either misidentifications or confusion. Preferred habitat of the species are open oak forests.
Way of life
Main flight period of moths are the months of July to September. At night they fly like to scale bait and occasionally artificial light sources. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of various species of oak (Quercus ). They develop between April and June. Overwintering stage is the egg.