Phlogophora interrupta (Warren, 1905)


Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Sao Miguel, Azores, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Acores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Female (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Saint Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Female (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, larva in November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Egg (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, late December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Several eggs on the lower side of a fern leaf [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, November 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Sao Miguel, December 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (Sao Miguel, Lagoa do Canario, December 2013, at night) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (Sao Miguel, Lagoa do Canario, December 2013, at night) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (Sao Miguel, Lagoa do Canario, December 2013, at night) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (Sao Miguel, Nordeste, found under moss during the day) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (green form, e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (green form, e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (Sao Miguel, Nordeste, found under moss) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Azores, Sao Miguel, 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. Saint Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (green form, e.l. Sao Miguel 2013) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupa (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupa (e.l. Sao Miguel 2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupe (e.l. São Miguel  2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupe (e.l. São Miguel  2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupe (e.l. São Miguel  2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupe (e.l. São Miguel  2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Pupe (e.l. São Miguel  2013/2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat with feeding scars on fern (Serra Devassa, November 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat with feeding scars on fern (Serra Devassa, November 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat in a dark coniferous forest (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, November 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat in a dark coniferous forest (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, November 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat in a dark coniferous forest (São Miguel, Serra Devassa, November 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Habitat in an embankment with Osmunda ferns (Sao Miguel, Furnas, December 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat in a depression in the open heath (São Miguel, Serra de Água de Pau, December 2013)  [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat in a depression in the open heath (São Miguel, Serra de Água de Pau, December 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Habitat in the open heath (São Miguel, Serra de Água de Pau). The larvae can be found especially in depressions and other sheltered places (windbreak). [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat at a wet, shadowy place in the open heath (Serra Devassa, December 2013) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Habitat in the transition zone heath - laurel forest (São Miguel, Serra de Água de Pau). The larvae can be found especially in depressions and other sheltered places (windbreak). [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Female (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Adult (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Male (e.l. rearing, Azores, Pico, larva in December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Young larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [M] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Half-grown larva (Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larva (e.l. rearing Azores, Pico, mid-December 2014) [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Comparison of pupae: top e.l. SanMiguel, bottom e.l. Pico [S] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat (Pico, December 2014) [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Larval habitat (Azores, Pico, December 2014). In the background Sao Jorge Island. [N] Phlogophora interrupta: Habitat destroyment by cattle (Pico, December 2014) [N]

Host plants:
Primarily the larvae feed on various ferns, e.g. Dryopteris, Osmunda. I observed one egg and a few larvae also on Rubus.

Habitat:
Phlogophora interrupta inhabits fern-rich, preferably wet places including dark, allochthonous coniferous forests, stream cuts, laurel woodland and open Atlantic heathland with grasses, mosses, Calluna and ferns.

Life cycle:
Adults and larvae are recorded year-round, but presumably with peaks of moths in autumn and spring. Oviposition occurs singly on the lower side of the fern leaves (app. 40 own field records), where the young, green larvae live, too. They are thus easily beaten. The older and mostly brownish larvae rest in the litter or superficially buried in the soil, often also under mosses, and climb the host plant only at night, then feeding often from the upper leaf surface. They are easily searched with a lamp.

Endangerment factors:
Phlogophora interrupta has already suffered great loss of area, e.g. in Sao Miguel, because of the extreme extension of EU-funded cattle pastures, that can not be settled even by this species. Because Phlogophora interrupta can cope with various other still available habitats, it is despite this fact still the least endangered endemic Phlogophora of the Azores and quite common in appropriate places.

Remarks:
Phlogophora interrupta is endemic to the central (ssp. interrupta) and eastern (ssp. jarmilae) Azores (Portugal). In the western group (e.g. Flores) it is substituted by P. kruegeri.

Literature:
Wagner (2015 b): A contribution to the knowledge of the larval ecology of the Azorean Phlogophora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with taxonomic notes on the complex of P. interrupta (P. interrupta jarmilae Saldaitis & Ivinskis, 2006, stat. rev.).- Nachr. entomol. Ver. Apollo, N.F. 36 (2/3): 80–92.



Phlogophora cabrali | Phlogophora furnasi | Phlogophora kruegeri | Phlogophora meticulosa | Phlogophora scita | Phlogophora wollastoni 
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