Cerapteryx graminis (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: May 7, 2024, 12:57 p.m.
Used to be a fairly common species throughout Belgium, but nowadays (since 2000) rather rare. Usually seen in low numbers or as singletons and most observations are from the Kempen and the southern part of the country.
This species is considered Endangered according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Hadeninae > Tribus: Tholerini > Genus: Cerapteryx > Species: Cerapteryx graminis
- Vernacular names
- Bonte grasuil (NL), Antler Moth (EN), La Noctuelle du gramen (FR), Dreizack-Graseule (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 11.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 27–39 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The eggs are dropped in flight and overwinter with the caterpillar fully formed inside the shell.
The adults are active during the day and at night. They come to light and sugar.
Flight periods
The adults fly from late June till early October in one generation a year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Molinia caerulea, Deschampsia flexuosa and Nardus stricta
- Substrates:
- Grasses
The larva lives on several species of grasses like Molinia caerulea, Deschampsia flexuosa or Nardus stricta.
