Ochropleura leucogaster
Ochropleura leucogaster
Ochropleura leucogaster is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). The species is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. But Migratory moths may be found also in Central and Western Europe.
Features
The wingspan of the butterfly is 32 to 36 millimeters. The very narrow front wings are usually dark brown in color and relatively without markings. The Costalrand has from the root to just behind the indistinct renal blemish a wide, straight, light brown stripes. Ring and kidney stigma are often edged thin white. Occasionally, a yellowish line on the fore wings is visible.
The caterpillar is brownish gray with fine whitish back - and side- back lines and a wide, yellow side stripes.
The doll measures 13.5 to 16 mm in length and 4.5 to 6 mm in width. It is dark brown in color, with the rear edges of the segments A3 to A6 tend to red. The integument is strongly roughened on head, thorax and wing attachments, slightly less rough on the other annexes of the head / thorax area. The abdomen is generally dotted rough and strong. The cremaster is finely roughened and with two forked, longer spines (0.5 to 0.6 mm) with blunt ends, as well as four shorter, hooked bristles ( 0.25 to 0.30 mm long) occupied, two bristles laterally and two bristles on the dorsal side.
Similar Species
The drawing of the wings of Ochropleura leucogaster is similar to that of the smaller Hellrandigen Erdeule ( Ochropleura plecta ) ( wingspan 28-34 mm) and the larger alpine meadows full - Erdeule ( Albocosta musiva ) ( wingspan 38-44 mm). Due to the differences in size confusion is unlikely. Other distinguishing features: the hind wings at leucogaster are bright white, the upper side of the abdomen very bright and the front edge strip of the front wing forms inside no tooth.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species occurs in the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel and North Africa before. It prefers warm, dry area to a height of about 1200 meters. As a hiker Ochropleura leucogaster was also detected in northern France, southern England, southern Germany and northern Romania.
Way of life
The moths are mostly nocturnal, flying in two broods from April to May and August to November. Visit the bait and come to artificial light sources. The caterpillars live polyphagous on tobacco plants to find clover ( Lotus ) and other herbaceous plants.