Drepana curvatula
Alder Sichelflügler ( Drepana curvatula )
The alder Sichelflügler ( Drepana curvatula ), also called Erlensichler, is a butterfly of the family of Sichelflügler ( Drepanidae ).
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 34-42 millimeters. Front and rear wings of the animals are brownish purple. On the forewing runs from the wing tip in a curve, a dark line to the wing inner edge. In addition, some clearly separate bright, brown and fine gray cross bands alternate. On the hind wings there are just such binding, but the bright areas are missing. Furthermore it has the alder Sichelflügler centrally located in the front wings, two small, bright, dark -rimmed points.
Similar Species
- Heller Sichelflügler ( Drepana falcataria )
Occurrence
The animals are mainly found in Central and Northern Europe, however, are missing in the British Isles. They prefer alder and birch breaks and riparian forests. But they are also found in moist deciduous forests.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in two generations from late April to May and from July to August. The caterpillars from the eggs of the first generation can be found from August to September, the second in June of the following year.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on alder ( Alnus ), such as the black alder ( Alnus glutinosa) and birch (Betula ).
Development
The caterpillars pupate in a leaf she spun, and then overwinter as a pupa on the ground.