Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: April 30, 2025, 10:14 a.m.
A common species throughout Belgium.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Xyleninae > Tribus: Xylenini > Genus: Cosmia > Subgenus: Calymnia > Species: Cosmia trapezina
- Vernacular names
- Hyena (NL), Dun-bar (EN), Le Trapèze (FR), Trapezeule (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 13.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 25–33 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
The harmless-looking caterpillars of this species never hesitate to attack and eat other caterpillars, even when they are larger.
Bionomics
Hibernates as an egg and pupates in a cocoon among plant debris.
The adults come to light and sugar.
No pictures yet!
Flight periods
The adults fly in one generation a year from mid-June till late September, occasionally later.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Acer campestre and Populus tremula
- Host plant (genera):
- Quercus, Betula, Ulmus, Crataegus, Salix and Corylus
- Substrates:
- Deciduous trees and Carnivorous
The larva lives on different species of deciduous trees like Quercus, Betula, Ulmus, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus, Corylus, Salix, Populus tremula and Acer campestre.
No pictures yet!
