Zygaena osterodensis
Vetchlings Burnet ( Zygaena osterodensis )
The grass pea Burnet ( Zygaena osterodensis ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of burnet ( Zygaenidae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 6.1 Notes and references 6.1.1 Literature
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 28 to 32 millimeters and are slim and very schmalflügelig. The wings are pointed striking. Your body and the wing color is black. The wings have four protracted, red spots, the red is stronger than the similar species. The middle spot is widened slightly clavate. The antennae are slender and end in a likewise sleek, long pointed lobes.
The caterpillars are about 20 mm long. They have a light gray - turquoise base color, a line that is lined left and right with big black spots forming on the back. In addition to these spots is found further out a longitudinal line of yellow spots. Along the back of a fine, dashed black line is visible.
Similar Species
- Thyme Burnet ( Zygaena purpuralis )
- Burnet Burnet ( Zygaena minos )
Occurrence
The animals come from northern Spain and southern France, over central Europe and southern Scandinavia prior to Mongolia. They live as only species of its genus in Central Europe in the forest, especially on sunny forest roads and in deciduous forests in the lowlands as well as in lighter mountainous character. They are almost everywhere sharp decline in their populations and rare. In the southern Steigerwald ( Bavaria ) but they are still common.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in one generation from June to July. The caterpillars can be found in August and after hibernation until May of the following year.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed mainly on the leaves of the meadow grass pea ( Lathyrus pratensis) and bird vetch (Vicia cracca ), but also from other grass pea and vetch.
Development
The development usually spans two years, but may take up to five years. In this long development, the caterpillars are only three to four weeks ago in the year and then expire after a molt in diapause to overwinter in the caterpillar stage later. The caterpillars pupate several feet high on trees directly on the trunk in shiny silver, white, spindle-shaped cocoons. They prefer this smooth bark. The pupa is brown and has dark yellow elytra.
Threats and conservation
- Red List FRG: 2 ( endangered ).