Euchalcia variabilis
Eisenhut Höckereule ( Euchalcia variabilis ) in Rigid Schreck
The Eisenhut Höckereule ( Euchalcia variabilis ), also known as monkshood - Metalleule, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 4.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 4.2 food of the caterpillars
- 6.1 Literature
Features
Imago
The Eisenhut Höckereule is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan 34-42 mm. The front wings are tinted gray-brown to dark brown, sometimes olive green. A narrow pink binding and cross several bright lines that are nearly parallel to the outer edge, are characteristic of the Art Ring and pin flaws are often indistinct and thin bright -rimmed. Unlike many representatives of the Gold Owl ( Plusiinae ) the Eisenhut - Höckereule has no shiny metallic character on the wings. The hind wings are gray-brown. At the top there is a hump- shaped tufts of hair. The body of the butterfly is hairy furry and has other smaller tufts of hair. The proboscis is well trained.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars reach a length of up to 35 millimeters and are pale yellow with black dots in the first stages. Adult they are green in color and have a lot of hair wearing black point warts as well as a clear yellow side stripes. The spiracles are black, as are the two pairs of abdominal legs.
Doll
The doll is blackish with a long proboscis sheath and stielförmigem cremaster without thorns.
Synonyms
- ( Phytometra variabilis )
- ( Plusia variabilis )
Distribution and habitat
The species is widespread in Europe, but rare in many areas. She prefers southern regions and is also found in the Alpine foothills and the Alps, where it is found up to about 2,300 meters. The habitat extends from deciduous forest edges and stream banks up to parklands, gardens and bushy slopes.
Way of life
The Eisenhut Höckereule is nocturnal and also flies to artificial light sources. The young caterpillars overwinter very small. After the winter the caterpillars hide in feeding breaks like between folded, slightly wilted leaves of the food plant.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly mainly from June to August in one generation. The caterpillars can be found in August. They overwinter and pupate mainly in May of the following year.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on the leaves of various aconite species, such as Colorful monkshood ( Aconitum variegatum ) and Wolf - monkshood ( Aconitum lycoctonum ) and also of larkspurs ( Delphinium ) and Akeleiblättriger Meadow Rue ( Thalictrum aquilegifolium ).
Endangering
The species occurs in Germany only in some states, is extremely rare with a geographical restriction in Baden- Württemberg near threatened, in Bavaria, Thuringia and Lower Saxony threatened with extinction.