Elaphria venustula
Marbled Gebüscheulchen ( Elaphria venustula )
The Marbled Gebüscheulchen ( Elaphria venustula ), also called gorse - heaths Motteneulchen, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the pretty little butterfly is 18 to 22 mm. The forewings are whitish and brownish patterned. The hem and the front edge are dark brown. From the rear edge is a large, triangular, dark brown spot extends into the wing center. Above it is a narrow, pale, pink tie, which gives the moths an attractive colorful drawing. From this feature is also the scientific name of the species from the Latin venustus = "graceful " is derived. Blemish and lines are usually indistinct. The hind wings are gray-brown without markings.
Caterpillar, and chrysalis
Adults caterpillars have a purple-brown color. On the back of diamond-shaped spots are visible. Specific type is an off-white, red cored spot on the fourth segment.
The slim doll is reddish-brown and shows a sharp peak at the cremaster.
Similar Species
A distant resemblance to the also very small delta Grasmotteneulchen ( Pseudeustrotia candidula ), which, however, differs by the large triangular spot on the front edge of the forewing.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The Marbled Gebüscheulchen is widely used in Europe but is absent in the far north. Eastwards reaches the circulation area through Asia to the Pacific. The animals are found in diverse habitats, these include open forests, bushy heaths, open vineyards and wetlands.
Way of life
The moths fly mostly in two generations of May to September. In the north, only a generation is formed, which flies in June and July. During the day, they are occasionally active. At night they visit -scale bait and artificial light sources. As a food of the caterpillars are primarily the flowers of Cinquefoil ( Potentilla ), heather (Erica ), broom ( Genista ), Rubusarten, and heather ( Calluna vulgaris). Older literature that they feed sometimes by scale insects ( Coccoidea ), could not be confirmed at farms and are sure incorrect. The species overwinters as a pupa.
Endangering
The Marbled Gebüscheulchen is represented in the German states of varying frequency and is run on the Red List as not at risk.