Autographa aemula (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)


Autographa aemula: Adult (W-Austria, Vorarlberg, Damüls, July 2008, at the light) [S] Autographa aemula: Adult [S] Autographa aemula: Adult (e.l. Kanisfluh 2010) [S] Autographa aemula: Adult (e.l. Kanisfluh 2010) [S] Autographa aemula: Half-grown larva [S] Autographa aemula: Hibernated larva at Leucanthemum, Kanisfluh, early May 2010, 1600m above sea level [M] Autographa aemula: Larva, ex Kanisfluh, May 2010 [S] Autographa aemula: Larva, ex Kanisfluh, May 2010 [S] Autographa aemula: Larva, ex Kanisfluh, May 2010 [S] Autographa aemula: Prall fully-grown larva, ex Kanisfluh May 2010 [S] Autographa aemula: Prall fully-grown larva, ex Kanisfluh May 2010 [S] Autographa aemula: Pupa (e.l. Kanisfluh) [S] Autographa aemula: Larval habitat (foreground) in 1600m above sea level in early May 2010 on the Kanisfluh: larva at Leucanthemum sp. [N]

Host plants:
The larvae are polyphagous on herbs. I found a hibernated larva in early May 2010 at the base of leaves of Leucanthemum at about 1600m above sea level on the Kanisfluh (Vorarlberg, Austrian Alps), where it had also eaten.

Habitat:
Autographa aemula inhabits humid, at higher altitudes also drier, montane to subalpine habitats (about 1000-2000m above sea level), which have mostly a mosaic of pastures or meadows, streams and sparse forests. Autographa aemula inhabits on the Kanisfluh drier to mesophilic patures and forb communities that are interspersed with rocks and stones, together with Autographa bractea, Polia bombycina, Eriopygodes imbecillus, Parnassius apollo, Zygaena transalpina and many other.

Life cycle:
The young caterpillar overwinters. I found it on the Kanisfluh in early May 2010. The moths fly from late June to mid-August.

Endangerment factors:
Autographa aemula is surely in decline in lower elevations through agricultural intensification and housing sprawl.

Remarks:
Autographa aemula occurs in Europe especially in the Alps. In addition, localities are known in the eastern Pyrenees (Spain, France). In addition, an isolated sub-area exists in the Western Asia (Caucasus and northern Turkey).



Autographa bractea | Autographa excelsa | Autographa gamma | Autographa jota | Autographa pulchrina 
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