Pyrausta cingulata
Pyrausta cingulata, a copy with almost straight forewing transverse fascia
Pyrausta cingulata is a butterfly (moth ) of the family Crambidae.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 14-17 mm (or a forewing length 7-9 mm). Front and rear wings are deep dyed black or brown-black, each showing a white transverse band. The forewing has a relatively thin, weak centrally corrugated transverse fascia, rarely the transverse band is almost straight. The transverse band of the hind wing is, however, widely and evenly rounded and usually slightly wider than the forewing transverse fascia. Rarely, the rounding is somewhat uneven and has a slightly bent. The fringes are usually much lighter than the ground color, often whitish.
The caterpillar is yellowish gray and has a tan, and black spotted head and neck shield.
The doll is 7.8 mm long and 2.2 mm in diameter. She is brown with a finely sculpted, sometimes a little wrinkled surface. The short and wide, dark brown cremaster is rounded at the end and dorsoventrally somewhat flattened. The bristles are still behind from the outside and are focused on Kremasterende.
Similar Species
Pyrausta cingulata and Pyrausta rectefascialis are very similar. Some specimens can be distinguished safely only by a genital examination. In Pyrausta rectefascialis the transverse fascia is straight on the forewing generally, the transverse band on the hind wing is clearly bent, while Pyrausta cingulata the transverse band of the forewing is slightly wavy and the transverse band of the hind wing is slightly more wavy and rounded evenly. However, there are also copies of Pyrausta rectefascialis with very slightly wavy transverse fascia on the forewing and a more rounded, rather bent, still slightly asymmetrical rounded transverse band on the hind wing. Even with Pyrausta cingulata copies come before with very little wavy, almost straight front wing cross bands and slightly kinked or slightly asymmetrical rounded hind wing cross bands. Such specimens are very difficult to distinguish by the wings drawing alone.
A certain similarity exists to Pyrausta nigrata. However, this style is sure to be distinguished by the stuck -wave transverse line and other small white drawing elements on the front wings of the above two types.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species is widespread in Western Europe until well after Siberia ( Altai, Khakassia, Tuva, Sayan, Transbaikalia, Yakutia). In Europe, it comes from southern Europe to northern Europe, with the exception of the polar regions before. The distribution area extends further into Asia Minor, the Caucasus and into Mongolia.
The species prefers dry to fresh, grassy locations of the open countryside. In Siberia specimens were found until in 2300 meters height above sea level.
Way of life
Pyrausta cingulata forms two generations a year, flying the moth from mid-April to June and from July to August. The moths are diurnal and visit flowers. In cloudy weather they are hiding in the vegetation. The caterpillars of the first generation are available from July to July encountered the second generation in August and the following year in April. The oligophagen caterpillars feed on long-haired thyme (Thymus praecox subsp. Polytrichus ), reminiscent of the wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum ) and sage (Salvia ).
Hannemann called: Wilder thyme (Thymus serpyllum ), Meadow Sage ( Salvia pratensis) and Sticky Sage ( Salvia glutinosa) as caterpillars food plants. The caterpillars live in a cocoon near the ground under the leaves. They overwinter and pupate in the spring of the following year.
Systematics and Taxonomy
The taxon was described in 1758 by Carolus Linnaeus as Phalaena Geometra cingulata first time scientifically. When Linnaeus was very imprecise type locality only " Europe". It is also found in the older literature already to the genus Pyrausta cabinet, 1802.