Staurophora celsia
Malachiteule ( Staurophora Celsia )
The Malachiteule ( Staurophora Celsia ), sometimes also called rust Cross, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
Features
The moths reach a wingspan from 36 to 46 millimeters. This species is so striking in that it is difficult to confuse with other species. The front wings show large, green, irregularly shaped fields, which are separated on both sides by sharp jagged, brown stripes. In addition, the front wings have a brown border. The hind wings are medium brown and have bright spots in the root and the interior on.
Habitat
One finds the Malachiteule especially where the soils contain lime and sand. It is found therefore in coniferous and deciduous mixed forests ( here especially at the edges, in glades or clearings ), in bogs and heaths, and rarely in meadows, gardens and parks. The distribution is represented only like islands in the temperate zones. Especially often we find the kind in the Lüneburg Heath, in Denmark, in the Mark Brandenburg and something rare in Bavaria, in the valleys of the Alps and in eastern Hungary. In the north you will find this type to 64th degree of latitude. In vain they are in England and northwest Europe. In the mountains you will find the Malachiteule only in valleys.
Development
Flight time begins in early September and ends in early October. The eggs are spherical, pale yellow colored and marked with longitudinal ribs. They are stored on the grass, where they hibernate. The caterpillars are found from June to August. They are cylindrical and dirty white or yellow. On the back you can see shining through the spinal vessels. They live close to the ground, where they grass flowers or roots provide protection. They pupate on the ground in her thin web. The doll has four spines on the abdomen.
Food
The larva feeds on various grasses, such as country of reed grass ( Calamagrostis epigejos ), lawn Schmiele ( Deschampsia cespitosa ), mat-grass ( Nardus stricta ) and the ordinary sweet vernal grass ( Anthoxanthum odoratum ), where they can be found at the roots.