Zygaena osterodensis Reiss, 1921


Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Mating near the cocoon (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Mating (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2012) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Mating (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Mating (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Freshly emerged adult at the cocoon (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany, June 2008). The cocoon is constructed on trunks and branches, but obviously also on blades. [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany), victim of a spider [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (Austria, Carinthia, Rinkolach, 24. June 2018) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Copulation (Austria, Carinthia, Rinkolach, 24. June 2018) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (Steigerwald, Germany) Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (Steigerwald, Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Female (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, Duttenstein, 26. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, Duttenstein, 26. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Copulation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, Duttenstein, 26. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (Sweden, Hallstavik, 09. July 2020) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Adult (Sweden, Hallstavik, 09. July 2020) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Male (Sweden, Hallstavik, 09. July 2020) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Female (Sweden, Hallstavik, 09. July 2020) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Eggs (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Ovae (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L1 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L2 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, 2012) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva L3 with feeding pattern on Lathyrus pratensis (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the diapause skin in the first hibernation (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva after moult out of the diapause in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Still small larva after hibernation (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, 23. April 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva on Vicia (Steigerwald, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (eastern Swabian Alb, May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second diapause during the second hibernation which affected nearly all larvae (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the second diapause during the second hibernation which affected nearly all larvae (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva in the third post-diapause instar in spring (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (eastern Swabian Alb, May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (eastern Swabian Alb, May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Half-grown larva (e.o. S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, oviposition in late June 2022) [S] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, 27. May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb, 27/05/2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (eastern Swabian Alb, 27/05/2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (Neresheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, 22. May 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Neresheim, 22. May 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (Neresheim, eastern Swabian Alb, southern Germany, 22. May 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Neresheim, 22. May 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (Steigerwald, Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larva (Steigerwald, Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Cocoon, typically attached to a thin trunk (ca. 50 cm above ground), eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Cocoon at a thin stem of a young oak (eastern Swabian Alb, 18. June 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Cocoon at a thin stem of a young oak (eastern Swabian Alb, 18. June 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Empty cocoon, attached to a blade (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany). The cocoons - especieally those at trunks - are detectable nearly year-round. [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larval habitat with larva (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, Dischingen, 27. May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Larval habitat (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, Dischingen, 27. May 2013) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: The adult prefer Vicia flowers. They also use Lathyrus pratensis, but not so eagerly (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: The adult prefer Vicia flowers. They also use Lathyrus pratensis, but not so eagerly (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: The adult prefer Vicia flowers. They also use Lathyrus pratensis, but not so eagerly (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat with Vicia and Lathyrus flowers (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat with Lathyrus flowers (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat with Lathyrus flowers (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, district of Heidenheim, 14. June 2009) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat on the Swabian Alb: bright, sunny places with Lathyrus pratensis in the forest [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat (eastern Swabian Alb, Southern Germany) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat. Here I observed a first male as early as 12. June 2009 (S-Germany, eastern Swabian Alb, Duttenstein in the district of Heidenheim) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat (Austria, Carinthia, Rinkolach, 24. June 2018) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat (Austria, Carinthia, Rinkolach, 24. June 2018) [N] Zygaena osterodensis: Habitat (Sweden, Hallstavik, 09. July 2020) [N]

Host plants:
Vicia and Lathyrus species, especially Lathyrus pratensis.

Habitat:
Zygaena osterodensis colonizes verges along forest paths, edges of clearings in open, sunny forests and similar places, most often on limestone. In Germany it still occurs between Main and Danube, but is becoming increasingly rare.

Life cycle:
The (usually multiply) hibernated caterpillar reaches maturity usually already in early or mid-May (observed in the Northern Bavarian Steigerwald), in cooler areas a little later. The adults fly from early June to July. Zygaena osterodensis is rather inconspicuous especially at low abundances. The adults love to visit flowers of Vicia cracca, but also of Valeriana, Ligustrum, Knautia, Lathyrus and other genera. The whitish silvery cocoons are often constructed on thin branches and tree trunks in 0.5 to 2m above ground and allow the specialists to detect the occurrence even after flight time.

Endangerment factors:
Zygaena osterodensis is severely threatened by increasing darkening processes in the forests (dense afforestations, nitrogen deposition), which is partly also due to the decline of traditional forest management practices (coppice), nitrogene eutrophication via air, afforestation with schadow tree species such as beech, spruce or maple, and sometimes also due to groundwater drawdown.

Remarks:
The moths can be distinguished by the unclubbed antenna easily from Zygaena minos and Z. purpuralis. Especially Zygaena romeo, which occurs south of the main ridge of the Alps, is very similar.

Zygaena osterodensis is distributed from northern Spain to southern Sweden and eastward to Mongolia (missing in most of Italy). It is a typical element of the deciduous forests of the temperate zone.



Zygaena alluaudi | Zygaena angelicae | Zygaena anthyllidis | Zygaena brizae | Zygaena carniolica | Zygaena contaminei | Zygaena corsica | Zygaena cynarae | Zygaena diaphana | Zygaena ephialtes | Zygaena erythrus | Zygaena exulans | Zygaena fausta | Zygaena filipendulae | Zygaena hilaris | Zygaena ignifera | Zygaena johannae | Zygaena laeta | Zygaena lavandulae | Zygaena lonicerae | Zygaena loti | Zygaena minos | Zygaena nevadensis | Zygaena occitanica | Zygaena orana | Zygaena oxytropis | Zygaena punctum | Zygaena purpuralis | Zygaena rhadamanthus | Zygaena romeo | Zygaena rubicundus | Zygaena sarpedon | Zygaena sedi | Zygaena transalpina | Zygaena trifolii | Zygaena viciae