Standfussiana wiskotti
Standfussiana wiskotti
Standfussiana wiskotti is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ). There is a high alpine form, which is found only from about 2000 m to about 3500 m. The distribution is limited to the Austrian, Swiss, Italian and French high alpine areas. The species was named after the butterfly collector Max Wiskott (Breslau).
Features
The wingspan of the butterfly is 35 to 44 millimeters (35 to 40 mm). The ground color of the forewing upper side varies from pale cream to yellow -brown, yellow -gray to gray. Fresh butterflies are often dusted yellow ( or " golden "). The darker transverse and wavy lines stand out clearly and strongly serrated. Pin, ring and kidney blemishes are slightly darkened, occasionally the ring flaw, however, is blurry or washed out, also missing. All three wings fields ( basal, middle and Saumfeld ) may have weak shading transverse bands; but these can be absent. The fringes are yellowish, often spotted. The hind wings are plain yellow-brown, often with a darker edge binding or the wing brightens the wings approach towards something. The undersides of the forewings are yellowish, the undersides of the hind wings are dark gray; they are towards the apex yellowish. The Diskalfleck on the bottoms of rear and front wings are each crescent -shaped and more or less washed out.
The thorax is hairy furry. The underside of thorax and abdomen are yellowish. The sensor of the males are not serrated, but only curled.
The relatively small egg is initially pale yellow and later turns brown. The surface is finely ribbed.
The caterpillar is dark olive-green and has purple red, black and gray yellow tints and stains. There are rectangular, yellowish spots with small black spots on the sides of the back.
The slim doll is brown and has a cremaster, where two fine spines sit.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The species occurs only in the high altitudes of the Alps above the tree line in Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria from about 2000 m to a height of 3500 meters before. In Germany Standfussiana wiskotti is not native.
Way of life
It makes one generation per year, flying moths whose July-August. The moths are diurnal and nocturnal visit and on the day the flowers of different alpine flowers. However, they also come at night partly paid rich in artificial light sources. The caterpillars live polyphagous on herbaceous plants. They are nocturnal and hide during the day under stones. The caterpillars overwinter probably more than once and pupate in a loose cocoon.