Euplexia euplexina
Euplexia euplexina is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ) and is found only in the Canary Islands.
Features
The light brown probes can be 2/3 of body size in length. They are accompanied by short Doppelkammzähnchen which continue to probe tip as eyelash bristles. The palps are colored dark brown. The head and thorax with a strong, black-brown, reddish at the top rear crop are reddish brown. The dark brown legs have whitish spotted rear ends. The light brownish gray abdomen with dark back scooping has a very dense, long, inside yellowish Analbüschel. The chocolate- brown front wings are short and wide and reach lengths of 17-18 mm. The hind wings are contrast colored light brownish gray and reach lengths of 36-38 mm.
A similar type is Euplexia Lucipara.
Occurrence
Euplexia euplexina is endemic to the western Canary Islands. They are found on La Gomera, La Palma and Tenerife. The way is to find, especially in laurel forests. There it grows on damp, weedy and shady places between woody plants on roadsides and in forests on the north side of slopes.
Life and development
The caterpillars of Euplexia euplexina feed on ferns such as Dryopteris oligodonta, Pteridium aquilinum and Dryopteris guanchica and of herbaceous plants such as argyranthemum broussonetii or Urtica morifolia. The moths are open all year, but rare in summer, to find. The caterpillars are often hard to find because they live very hidden, but to observe the day. They can be attracted to light at night. The young caterpillars are green in color, which goes with age to a brownish hue. They pupate then subsequently at a slight cocoon in the litter layer.