Seq # 903140010

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.

No pictures yet!

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.

No pictures yet!

Habitat

The preferred biotope consists of dry, sunny meadows with a lot of flowers, mainly Asteraceae.

No pictures yet!