Xestia rhaetica
Xestia rhaetica
Xestia rhaetica, also Swiss mountain forest Erdeule called, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The coloration of the forewing varies from light gray to dark brown. Ring and kidney blemish are large and appear as a black root line conspicuously. The hind wings are gray white and show a faint center spot. Main features of the following subspecies are
- A gray-brown to reddish-brown ground color of the fore wings with the nominate ssp. rhaetica, which has a wingspan from 38 to 45 millimeters and
- A darker, chocolate brown color of the forewing in the ssp. norica.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars have a gray- brown color, a bright line of the back, dark framed side back and side lines and blackish spots at the back of the wedge. The spiracles are boxed brown yellow and black.
Similar Species
A great similarity to Xestia sincera, which usually shows some minor blemishes. In borderline cases, is used to uniquely assign a genitalmorphologische investigation is advisable. The gray-brown forms of mountain forest Bodeneule ( Xestia speciosa) have similar drawing elements, but their ring stain are rounder and smaller.
Distribution and occurrence
The species occurs in the north of Europe, as in the central part Fennoskandinaviens, in northern Russia and on to Siberia. In addition, it is native to the Tatras and in the Bohemian Forest. In the Alps it inhabits altitudes 1000-2500 meters, however, is to be found in Northern Europe and at sea level. Another species occurs are regions in the Nearctic. Main habitat of Xestia rhaetica are clear spruce forests with blueberry plantings.
Way of life
The largely nocturnal moths fly from July to August in one generation a year. Visit flowers, artificial light sources as well as bait. The caterpillars are found and overwinter in August, partly twice. They feed mainly of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
Endangering
Xestia rhaetica comes in Germany only in the Bavarian Alps regularly and is run on the red list of threatened species as a species with a geographical restriction. A single find has been reported from the Thuringian Forest.