Chersotis cuprea (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: Sept. 16, 2023, 3:34 p.m.
A very rare and local mountainous-alpine species in Belgium, only known from one record near Baraque Michel, Hautes Fagnes (LG) in July 1957. Nowadays more than likely extinct.
The species is in sharp decline due to the destruction of corresponding parts of landscape by humans.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Noctuinae > Tribus: Noctuini > Genus: Chersotis > Species: Chersotis cuprea
- Vernacular names
- La Noctuelle cuivreuse (FR), Kupfereule (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Prins W. 2013c. On the presence in Belgium of Chersotis cuprea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). — Phegea 41(4): 93–94. On page 93. view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan:
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The female deposits the eggs with its long ovipositor
in the flowers of thistles and other Asteraceae, mainly
during August. Species of Carduus and Centaurea, but
also Taraxacum have been mentioned as larval host
plants. The young larvae emerge during September–
November and hibernate in a tube in the earth.
Especially the full-grown larvae are very luminophobe
and they pull old detritous leaves into their tube where
they consume it. Pupation takes place under the earth
surface in a silken cocoon. They are active during
the night but have also been observed drinking nectar
during daytime.
Flight periods
The adults fly from late July till early September, but mainly on the wing in August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Vaccinium myrtillus
The larva lives especially on Asteraceae like: Centaurea or Taraxacum.
Habitat
The preferred biotope consists of dry, sunny meadows with a lot of flowers, mainly Asteraceae.
