Euxoa eruta
Euxoa ( Euxoa ) eruta
Euxoa eruta (formerly sometimes Euxoa tritici ) is a species of butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms. She is one of three types of narrow E. tritici complex whose taxonomic status has been questioned as a bona species and some still is. The species was formerly z.T. out under the German trivial name Weizeneule.
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 33-34 millimeters [Note 1]. The ground color of the forewings is dark brown to dark gray. Because of taxonomic uncertainty, the variation of the ground color of the fore wings is not yet established so far. Ring and kidney brokering are often clearly drawn bright and dark margins. Front edge and blemishes are often dusted white. Inner and outer transverse line and the wavy line are noticeable, but usually blurred. The hind wings are whitish with a more or less wide brown edge. The males have relatively short comb-like probe, the female thread-like sensor.
The egg is yellow and white with no ribbing on the surface.
The caterpillar is brown to dark brown with a bright topline.
The pupa is reddish brown; the cremaster is occupied by two short spines.
Similar Species
The three types of narrow E. tritici complex, ie E. nigrofusca, E. and E. tritici eruta are very similar and can usually be distinguished by genitalmorphologische investigations. And even that is in doubt.
- E. aquilina, the sawtooth-like antennae of the males have eruta longer teeth than the sensor of male moths of E. nigrofusca, E. and E. tritici.
- E. tritici, is smaller and darker than E. eruta, shorter and wider front wings with light purple tint
- E. nigrofusca, the caterpillars are somewhat smaller and lighter than with E. eruta, the butterflies are a bit brighter with more shades of brown in the ground color, the drawing is more contrast
The three other types of E. tritici complex ( E. montivaga, E. and E. segnilis diaphora ) do not occur in Central Europe.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Euxoa tritici arrives in Europe from England to the Urals, in the north of Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. The exact area is so far due to the lack of differentiation often to Euxoa nigrofusca and Euxoa tritici unknown. In the east, the range extends to Turkey, West Siberia and the Altai. The species occurs on sandy heathland. In the Alps, it rises to 1600 m.
Way of life
Euxoa eruta is one generation per year, the moths fly in July and August. The caterpillars feed on various grasses and herbaceous plants.
Systematics and Nomenclature
The species was until 1993 with an uncertain status led ( f or bona species ). It was until then mostly auct as a synonym of E. tritici. considered. Further investigations Michael Fibiger took place in 1997 in the male and female genitalia differences Euxoa nigrofusca and Euxoa tritici. She has been known again as " bona species ", one of three types of narrow E. tritici complex. The nomenclature of the other two species is difficult.
On examination of the type specimen ( lectotype ) of the established by Carl Linnaeus as Phalaena Noctua tritici type turned out that this copy is identical to Euxoa crypta Dadd, 1927, ie that the name tritici Linnaeus, 1761 Now is the valid name of the species, which is usually referred to by the authors as E. crypta.
The oldest available name for the species previously wrongly called Euxoa tritici in the literature, however, is Phalaena Noctua nigrofusca Esper, 1788, the auct in combination Euxoa nigrofusca the valid name of the Euxoa tritici. is.
Marko Mutanen found, however, in quantitative morphometric studies of male and female genitalia of the other E. tritici complex no significant differences and concluded that probably some, if not all, types of E. tritici complex ( ie E. nigrofusca, E. tritici, E. eruta, E. montivaga, E. and E. segnilis diaphora ) must be synonymized.
Endangering
Due to the difficult situation of the taxonomy the potential danger of this kind is difficult to estimate. It can be stated in total basically just for the E. tritici complex. The ever-fluctuating population sizes of these kind (s ) have declined significantly in recent years. Nevertheless, is / are not classified as impaired.