Brown-bodied balsam loaf

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Brown-bodied balsam loaf
Ecliptopera silaceata01.jpg

Brown-bodied balsam loaf ( Ecliptopera silaceata )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Spanner (Geometridae)
Subfamily : Larentiinae
Genre : Ecliptopera
Type : Brown-bodied balsam loaf
Scientific name
Ecliptopera silaceata
( Denis & Schiffermüller , 1775)

The brown-bodied balsam spider ( Ecliptopera silaceata ), also known as the willowherb leaf spanner , is a butterfly ( moth ) from the spanner family (Geometridae).

features

butterfly

The moths reach a wingspan of about 24 to 30 millimeters. The basal region is dark gray and is bordered by a narrow light band in which there are mostly dark spots. The very broad disk region is black-brown and often shows an approximately elliptical white vein markings in the middle. The post-disk region is gray-brown and has several distinct arrow spots. Two to three points protrude in the middle into the disk region and sometimes continue as orange-colored lines to the outer edge. Below the apex there are dark arc spots on the outer edge that touch the white wavy line. The hind wings shimmer white-gray and are provided with light transverse lines and a small black center. The color of the head, thorax and abdomen is brown.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are slender and have a greenish-yellow basic color. The blackish red topline is only formed on the first and last segments. The sternum is colored black-brown.

Similar species

  • The moths of the yellow-headed balsam leaf tensioner ( Ecliptopera capitata ) are on average smaller than Ecliptopera silaceata with a wingspan of 20 to 25 millimeters and differ in particular by their overall lighter appearance, fewer arrow spots in the post-disk region and their yellow to orange-brown color from Head, thorax, and abdomen.
  • In the bedstraw bandage ( Lampropteryx suffumata ), the arc spots on the outer edge are more indistinct and extend beyond the wavy line, the transverse lines are more jagged and the basic color is predominantly brown.
  • The dark brown hair- tufted tensioner ( Eulithis prunata ) is on average somewhat larger with a wingspan of 28 to 37 millimeters, has a rather brownish basic color and shows a more jagged outer transverse line.

The almost elliptically shaped white vein pattern in the disk field is a sure distinguishing feature to the three aforementioned types. However, this mark is not present on all specimens of silaceata .

Geographical distribution and occurrence

The distribution area of ​​the brown-bodied balsam moth covers most of Europe including the British Isles and extends eastward through Russia to the Altai and the Ussuri region as well as in the north beyond the Arctic Circle and in the south to the Caucasus . It is also found in North America . The main habitat of the species are partially shaded places in deciduous, floodplain and mixed forests, as well as spas and heaths.

Way of life

The crepuscular and nocturnal moths fly in a first generation from April to June and a second generation from August to September. At higher altitudes, these flight times can also be postponed to somewhat later times in the year. You visit artificial light sources . Forage plants of the caterpillars are the great balsam ( Impatiens noli-tangere ), which is also known under the name “Don't touch me”, and the narrow-leaved willowherb ( Chamerion augustifolium ). The pupa hibernates.

Danger

The brown-bodied balsam moth occurs in all German federal states and is listed as not endangered in the Red List of Endangered Species .

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 8 . Moth VI. Spanner (Geometridae) 1st part. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3497-7 .
  2. ↑ a b Manfred Koch , Wolfgang Heinicke, Bernd Müller: We determine butterflies. Volume 4: Spanner. 2nd, improved and enlarged edition. Neumann, Leipzig / Radebeul 1976, DNB 780451570 .
  3. ↑ Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 5/1: Spanner. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1955, DNB 450378403 .
  4. ↑ Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Ed.): Red List of Endangered Animals in Germany . Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster 1998, ISBN 3-89624-110-9 .

literature

  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg . 1st edition. tape 8 . Moth VI. Spanner (Geometridae) 1st part. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-8001-3497-7 .

Web links

Commons : Braunleibiger Balsam Spanner  - Collection of images, videos and audio files