Sooty Ringlet
Eismohrenfalter ( Erebia pluto )
The Eismohrenfalter ( Erebia pluto ) is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The forewings of the moths, which have a wingspan of about 32 to 40 millimeters are colored velvety dark brown and show a silky, sometimes greenish or bluish luster. They vary in color depending on the local geographic occurrence. So almost uniformly dark brown, almost black specimens are found which show only two small white -centered ocelli on the forewings. In other butterflies located in the Postdiskalregion a maroon tie. The forewing underside is often uniformly dark reddish brown with translucent white eye patch, only occasionally appear reddish tints more apparent. On the dark brown hind wings no binding can be seen in the rule. The rear wing undersides are dark brown and no distinct pattern.
Egg, caterpillar, pupa
The oval egg is provided of a yellowish color and with fine longitudinal ribs. In the adult caterpillar is dominated by a gray shade, which is interrupted by dark green back and yellowish side lines. The reddish-brown pupa is often covered with a bluish or greenish frost.
Similar Species
A certain similarity is indeed to other Ringlet species, but is usually pluto drawing poorer and darker in color and is also the most species-specific, gliding flight style over high altitude scree easy to recognize.
Distribution and habitat
The Eismohrenfalter comes in high altitudes of the Alps and Apennines, mainly before 1900-3000 meters. He prefers vegetated rocky slopes, screes and Schuttkare to the edge of the ice and snow fields.
Way of life
The moths live in a brood from June to August. The males are extremely elegant flyers and slide in a characteristic gliding along with the soft, silky ringlet ( Erebia gorge ) scree on the lookout for the most between large boulders sitting quietly females. The sailing flight style reminiscent of those of the Alps Apollo ( Parnassius phoebus ). The females lay eggs singly from preferred to rocks and stones. Main food plants of the caterpillars are fescue species ( Festuca ) and annual bluegrass ( Poa annua) and Small bluegrass ( Poa minor). Pupation takes place in a wide-meshed, loose cocoon among stones.
Endangering
In Germany the nature of the Bavarian Alps, is found only in some places and is out on the red list of endangered species in category R ( kind of geographical restriction ).