Real weirdos

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Real weirdos
Silk moth (Bombyx mori)

Silk moth ( Bombyx mori )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Subordination : Glossata
Superfamily : Bombycoidea
Family : Real weirdos
Scientific name
Bombycidae
Latreille , 1802
Silkworm caterpillars in breeding

The real spinners (Bombycidae) are a family of butterflies ( moths ) with about 350 species worldwide . Their main distribution area are the tropics , with most species living in the Orient and the Neotropic . Apart from breeding specimens, they are absent in Europe .

features

The medium to large moths are sturdy and have broad wings. Some species, especially those of the subfamily Phiditiinae , have strongly folded wings. The antennae of the males are feathered. In the Phiditiinae, a row of teeth is also formed along the antennae segments. The antennae of the females are mostly thread-shaped, but there are also species in which they are pinnate. The maxillary palps are absent or are reduced, the proboscis is very short or completely absent. The labial palps are usually two- or three-segmented and either short or only receded.

Caterpillars

The caterpillars usually have very short, fine hair. In addition to the pusher, they have all four pairs of belly legs . They carry a spur on the eleventh segment.

Way of life

The moths are nocturnal. In their resting position, they have their wings open characteristically at right angles to each other. Your abdomen is usually curved upwards or to the side.

The caterpillars pupate in tightly woven cocoons . Silk is made from the cocoons of the silk moth ( Bombyx mori ) . The animals are bred for this, especially in Asia, but also in southern Europe .

Special

For the first time, a pheromone was extracted from female silk moth in 1930 by Adolf Butenandt . It was not until 1959 that he was able to characterize it chemically. It was called Bombykol . About half a million animals had to be used for a usable amount.

Types (selection)

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d N. P. Kristensen: Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies, 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbuch der Zoologie 4 (35) p. 331ff, Walter de Gruyter. Berlin, New York 2003, ISBN 3-11-015704-7
  2. ↑ Malcolm J. Scoble: The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. P. 324f Oxford University Press 1995, ISBN 978-0-19-854952-9
  3. ↑ Malcolm J. Scoble: The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. P. 165 Oxford University Press 1995, ISBN 978-0-19-854952-9

Web links

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