Astraptes fulgerator

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Astraptes fulgerator
Astraptes fulgerator

Astraptes fulgerator

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Thick-headed butterfly (Hesperiidae)
Subfamily : Pyrginae
Genre : Astraptes
Type : Astraptes fulgerator
Scientific name
Astraptes fulgerator
( Walch , 1775)

Astraptes fulgerator is a butterfly ( butterfly ) from the family of the thick-headed butterfly (Hesperiidae).

features

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 48 to 61 millimeters. Fore and hind wings have a brown to blackish base color on the upper and lower side. A large, metallic blue shimmering field at the roots of the forewings is typical of the species. A clear white horizontal stripe stands out in the midfield. The thorax also shimmers metallic blue.

Caterpillar, pupa

Adult caterpillars are usually ringed black and yellow. The underside is maroon. The head is provided with short red-brown hair.

The doll is black-brown and powdered white.

Systematics

Hebert et al. conducted investigations using the DNA barcoding method on museum specimens of Astraptes fulgerator and came to the conclusion that it is a complex of at least ten species that are largely sympatric . However, there was no genital divergence to be seen. Long-term observations in Costa Rica have also shown contrasts in the preference given to different ecosystems. There were also differences in the food plants of the caterpillars and their colors.

Brower criticizes the Hebert et al. and after its own examination using the neighbor joining algorithm , population analyzes, cladistics and statistical methods, it comes to the conclusion that there are at least three, but no more than seven previously unknown species.

To what extent Astraptes fulgerator is a subspecies or independent species based on the above investigations requires further clarification.

Distribution and occurrence

The range of the species extends from Texas south to Argentina . Astraptes fulgerator prefers to colonize subtropical forests.

Way of life

The moths fly in several generations in South Texas year round. They like to suckle on flowers or excrement . The caterpillars feed on buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). For Texas, for example, Karwinskaia humboldtiana is named as a food plant.

Subspecies

  • Astraptes fulgerator fulgerator ( Walch , 1775)
  • Astraptes fulgerator azul ( Reakirt , 1866)

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Two-barred flasher. Astraptes fulgerator (Walch, 1775). Butterflies and Moths of North America, accessed July 29, 2017.
  2. ^ Paul DN Hebert, Erin H. Penton, John M. Burns, Daniel H. Janzen, Winnie Hallwachs: Ten species in one: DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the neotropical skipper butterfly Astraptes fulgerator. In: PNAS , Vol. 101, No. 41, 2004, pp. 14812-14817.
  3. ↑ Andrew VZ Brower: Problems with DNA barcodes for species delimitation: 'Ten species' of Astraptes fulgerator reassessed (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). In: Systematics and Biodiversity. Vol. 4, No. 2, 2006, pp. 127-132 ( PDF ).
  4. ↑ a b c James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California 1986, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 477.

literature

  • James A. Scott: The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California 1986, ISBN 0-8047-2013-4 , p. 477.

Web links

Commons : Astraptes fulgerator  - collection of images, videos and audio files