Egg laying preference and larval habitat of the silver-spotted skipper butterfly Hesperia comma Linne, 1758 in Baden-Wurttemberg Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae Eiablage- und Larvalhabitat des Komma-Dickkopffalters Hesperia comma Linne, 1758 in Baden-Wurttemberg Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae

Hermann, G.; Steiner, R.

In Baden-Wurttemberg (SW-Germany) the egg-laying preference and larval habitat of the silver-spotted skipper butterfly (Hesperia comma LINNE, 1758) have been almost unknown. Thus eggs of this endangered species were looked for in different natural geographical units between 1993 and 1995. During this period about 500 eggs could be found. They are conspicuously white, comparatively big, and easily recognizable by experienced entomologists. Most of the eggs were found on Festuca ovina egg., which is also the main larval foodplant. However almost exclusively small, juvenile plants, growing in sunny and dry spots with poor or short vegetation are suitable. Based on our results, methods for recording, habitat requirements of the species and aspects of its protection are discussed.