Euxoa obelisca [Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: May 7, 2024, 11:49 a.m.
A very rare, local and declining species in Belgium.
This species is considered Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Noctuidae > Subfamily: Noctuinae > Tribus: Agrotini > Genus: Euxoa > Subgenus: Euxoa > Species: Euxoa obelisca
- Vernacular names
- Zwartvlakworteluil (NL), Square-spot Dart (EN), La Noctuelle Obélisque (FR), Obelisken-Erdeule (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Weinmann R. 1871a. Assemblée mensuelle du 8 octobre 1870. — Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 14: ii. On page ii.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 28–39 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
It overwinters probably as a young caterpillar. The adults come to light.
Flight periods
The moths fly late from July to September with a peak in August.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Helianthemum and Galium
- Substrates:
- Herbaceous plants
The caterpillar lives polyphagous on ground-level plant parts of the herb layer.
Habitat
It inhabits dry-warm habitats such as gappy grasslands, stone and rock interspersed pastures, quarries, embankments, and other places with open or at least only gappy vegetated with herbaceous plants, but often moss-rich soil, also found on nutrient-poor grasslands.
