Zygaena exulans
Hochalpenwidderchen
The Hochalpenwidderchen ( Zygaena exulans ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of burnet ( Zygaenidae ).
- 4.1 Notes and references
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 27-30 millimeters. You have parchment-like, matte gray (females ) to dark gray (male ) front wing on which a narrow, elongated spot and four other red spots are. The spot at the wing root is wedge-shaped, the others are oval or round. The hind wings are red with gray outer edge and black fringe. The body is covered with dense hair, as with many high-mountain species. Confusion with other species is ruled out because of the presence at high altitudes in most cases. The eggs are large, oval, slightly indented top and pale yellow in color. The caterpillars are up to 20 mm long, sometimes greenish, sometimes velvety black, with yellowish segment incisions and well colored oval side spots. They have short, bunches clustered, whitish hairs. The pupa is brown and black is in a gray-white, thin-shelled cocoon.
Occurrence
The species occurs in high altitude areas, so among other things, in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Abruzzo, the Carpathians and Scotland. The Hochalpenwidderchen is the only Rotwidderchen - kind in Central Europe, which is exclusively to be found above the tree line, in Switzerland even up over 3300 meters, but in Austria about the Grossglockner region and in Germany at the highest altitudes of the Allgäu, there lately not observed. Preferred habitats are alpine grass heaths and boulder corridors.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly from June to August, area- wise they are very common. Since they have a two-year development period, but the rate varies from year to year. The caterpillars overwinter twice, often in a collection of up to 100 animals in a loose cocoon. Pupation occurs in a cocoon that is pieced to rock.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars are found in many plant species, but mainly on the following food plants:
- Yellow Rockrose ( Helianthemum nummularium )
- Kidney vetch ( Anthyllis vulneraria )
- White Mountain Avens ( Dryas octopetala )
- Stem campion ( Silene acaulis)