Dolba hyloeus
| Dolba hyloeus | ||||||||||||
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Preparation of Dolba hyloeus |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Dolba | ||||||||||||
| Walker , 1856 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Dolba hyloeus | ||||||||||||
| ( Drury , 1773) |
Dolba hyloeus is the only butterfly species of the genus Dolba from the family of hawkers (Sphingidae). Based on the morphology of the genitals, it can be assumed that the species is most closely related to the genus Manduca .
features
Characteristics of the moth
The moths have a fore wing length of 22 to 30 millimeters and are therefore relatively small. They have a dark brown to dark gray base color with white spots in the postmedial and antemedial area of the forewings. On these there is a small but easily recognizable, white discal spot. The outer edge of both pairs of wings is alternately white and colored with the dark basic color. The abdomen is also alternately white and dark stripes. The pattern of the forewings is quite variable. In some individuals the pattern is very rich in contrast, in others there is little to almost no contrast, which means that the forewings appear almost monochrome.
Characteristics of the caterpillars
The caterpillars have a pale light green base color with a slightly whitish-blue back. They have a rather broad, gray-green stripe in the middle of their back. The animals also have six white dorsolateral stripes, each beginning on the front of each segment approximately at the level of the spiracles and extending into the subdorsal area of the following segment. The last of these strips ends at the anal horn . Each stripe is bounded dorsally by a thin purple-colored band that does not, however, extend to the next segment to the rear. The ventral side of the body below the spiracles is pale gray-green. The anal horn is predominantly colored blue, but has a purple tip. The head capsule is light green and unstripe. The stigmas are purple and outlined in white.
Characteristics of the dolls
The pupae are walnut brown. They have a smooth, slightly shiny surface. The short proboscis sheath is free, but is located close to the body. The Kremaster is long in relation to the length of the doll. It's pretty rough and ends in a single point.
Occurrence
The species is widespread in the nearctic . It occurs from eastern North America to the Great Plains , as well as from New England west over large parts of Michigan and Wisconsin and south to large parts of Florida and along the Gulf Coast to central Texas. The species is also rarely detected in Canada , where it occurs in the extreme south of Québec and in Ontario around Port Franks . The northernmost evidence comes from Pary Sound and Pinhey Forest in Ontario. The species mainly inhabits the eastern North American mixed forests .
Way of life
The adults can often be seen visiting flowers, especially at dusk. They fly to different flowers, such as those of common soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis ), evening primrose ( Oenothera ), honeysuckle ( Lonicera ), petunias ( Petunia ), flame flowers ( Phlox ), miracle flowers ( Mirabilis ), tobacco ( Nicotina ) and western button bush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ). The adults are attracted by artificial light.
Flight and caterpillar times
The species occurs in one generation in the north in summer. Most moths can be found there from late June to early August. In the south, the animals fly from late March to September. It is believed that at least two generations are trained there.
Food plants of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on three-lobed papau ( Asimina triloba ) and several species of holly ( Ilex ) that grow in moist microhabitats with good water drainage, such as Ilex verticillata , Ilex decidua and Ilex glabra . In the literature there are a number of other alleged food plants that could not be used, such as fern myrtle ( Comptonia peregrina ).
development
The females lay their eggs one by one, the caterpillars are solitary animals. The caterpillars develop very slowly and molt a fifth time before pupation . You need an average of 46 days until then. Pupation takes place in a chamber in the ground.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i James P. Tuttle: The Hawkmoths of North America, A Natural History Study of the Sphingidae of the United States and Canada. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, DC 2007, ISBN 978-0-9796633-0-7 .
literature
- James P. Tuttle: The Hawkmoths of North America, A Natural History Study of the Sphingidae of the United States and Canada. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, DC 2007, ISBN 978-0-9796633-0-7 .
