Hadula odontites
Hufeisenkleeeule ( Hadula odontites )
The Hufeisenkleeeule ( Hadula odontites ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). The species was formerly microdon as Discestra, Guenée or referred Discestra marmorosa, Borkhausen.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 30 to 36 millimeters. The forewings vary in color from light gray and indeed to reddish brown over black to gray. In all instances, the ring blemish stand out very bright and circular, while the dark kidney blemish hardly emerge. The short and wide dispensing blemishes are always colored black, forming a contrast to the bright field located next to it. Striking is the whitish wavy line with a distinctive W - characters. Are characteristic of the black inward arrow spots and brighter Postdiskalregion. The hind wings are gray-brown, the tint is darker towards the edge.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are violet colored gray and marked by prominent broad yellow side ridge lines and side stripes with black spot adjacent rows.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is distributed from the Iberian Peninsula through Central and Southern Europe. Towards the east, it occurs to Ukraine. The southern distribution includes the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, northern Iran, southern Russia and extends to Mongolia. In the Alps, it rises to around 3000 meters. The Hufeisenkleeeule is found mainly on warm, calcareous slopes and on sunny lean lawns and heathland.
Way of life
The moths are diurnal and crepuscular and suck like other flowers, especially of thyme species (Thymus ), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ). Occasionally, they also appear to artificial light sources. The moths fly in two broods from April to June and from July to September. In the higher regions also univoltine strains occur. The caterpillars feed primarily on the leaves of the clover horseshoe ( Hippocrepis comosa ). During the day they hide under rocks.
Endangering
In Germany the Hufeisenkleeeule comes in southern and central parts of the country in different number and is on the Red List of endangered species in category 3 ( endangered) classified.