Heliophobus reticulatus (Goeze, 1781)


Heliophobus reticulatus: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb, larva in late June 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb, larva in late June 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Adult (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb, larva in late June 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb) [N] Heliophobus reticulatus: Young larva (eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2012) [M] Heliophobus reticulatus: Young larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Half-grown larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) Heliophobus reticulatus: Larva (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Pupa (e.l. eastern Swabian Alb 2012) [S] Heliophobus reticulatus: Habitat with Dianthus carthusianorum and other Caryophyllaceae on the eastern Swabian Alb [N]

Host plants:
Polyphagous. The literature gives Caryophyllaceae. On the eastern Swabian Alb I observed young larvae on the flowers of Dianthus carthusianorum in late June 2012. The larvae rested outside the flowers on the petals and could be beaten from the inflorescenses. They are in contrary to Hadena species only rarely recorded in flower samples as they drop from the plants at the slightest disturbance. The older larval instars switch into the herbal layer where they feed at night on Asteraceae and others.

Habitat:
Heliophobus reticulatus colonizes nutrient-poor grasslands, structurally rich terrain as hedgerows or grass-and herb-rich clearings, not too wet fens and even structurally rich gardens. Usually it inhabits more mesophilic habitats, but also occurs in semi-dry grasslands.

Life cycle:
The pupa hibernates. Adults can be observed from late May to late July. The apparently very concealed older caterpillars are then likely to live until September. I found young larvae in late June 2012.

Endangerment factors:
Heliophobus reticulatus does not have high requirements. But it has already been pushed back severely in many regions due to the nature adverse agriculture with manured meadows and intense corn fields as well as the modern dark forest management.

Remarks:
Heliophobus reticulatus occurs from the Iberian Peninsula to East Asia.


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