Apantesis phalerata
| Apantesis phalerata | ||||||||||||
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Apantesis phalerata |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Apantesis phalerata | ||||||||||||
| ( Harris , 1841) |
Apantesis phalerata is a butterfly ( moth ) from the subfamily of the bear moth (Arctiinae).
features
butterfly
The moths have a wingspan of 30 to 42 millimeters. The upper side of the forewings has a black basic color, which is provided with a whitish, yellowish or light pink line drawing. The upper side of the hind wing varies from a strong red to pink to yellow and shows a more or less clearly pronounced black markings in front of the edge. At the head, a collar and two parallel light red or yellowish stripes stand out that a Harness (English: harness ) are similar in horses. The species is therefore referred to as Harnessed tiger moth in English usage . The thorax is colored red or yellow and has large black spots on the top.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are gray-brown to dark brown in color, show an ocher-colored topline, also colored spiracles and are briefly hairy with spines on all segments.
Similar species
Due to the color variability in Apantesis phalerata, it is differentiated from the very similar species
often difficult based on external characteristics. A reliable determination can be made on the basis of a genital morphological examination .
Distribution and occurrence
The species is widespread in the east, southeast and central North America from Québec and Ontario in a southerly direction to Florida , Tennessee and Texas . She prefers to live in meadow and steppe landscapes.
Way of life
The nocturnal moths fly in one generation between May and September, depending on where they are found. You visit artificial light sources . The caterpillars feed on the leaves of various lower plants, including dandelion ( Taraxacum ), plantain ( Plantago ), clover ( Trifolium ) and some types of sweet grass (Poaceae). During development, they absorb toxins from the food plants, making them inedible for potential predators.
Individual evidence
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America
- ↑ livingwithinsects, harnessed-tiger-moth
- ↑ caterpillar at Bug Guide
- ↑ distinction
- ↑ dissemination
Web links
- eol.org - Encyclopedia of Life