Erionota thrax
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| ( Linnaeus , 1767) |
Erionota thrax is a butterfly from the family of the thick-headed butterflies (Hesperiidae). With a wingspan of up to 7 cm, it is one of the largest species of the thick-headed butterfly. As one of the few species in this family, it is prone to mass reproduction and can occur as a pest in banana plantations. The species has often been confused with Pelopidas thrax (Huebner, 1821).
features
The moths have a wingspan of 70 to 77 mm. The basic color of the fore and hind wings is brown. The top of the forewings has three relatively large, yellow, translucent spots in 2, 3 and the cell.
The egg is light yellow and turns light red just before the egg caterpillars hatch.
The caterpillars are light green with a black head. They become about 5 to 6 cm long.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Erionota thrax occurs from India , across Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea . In the north, the distribution area extends to southern China. In the meantime, the species is said to have been introduced to various Pacific islands ( Solomon Islands , Hawaiian Islands ). However, here z. Sometimes there is a confusion with Erionota torus Evans . The occurrence in Hawaii is now assigned to this species. The species is now also found in Mauritius .
Way of life
Several generations are continuously formed each year. The moths are mainly active at dusk and in the morning. They also fly to artificial light sources . The females lay the eggs individually or in groups of up to 25 pieces on the leaves of the host plants, preferably on the lower part of the leaf halfway between the midrib and the leaf margin. The eggs are laid at dusk and often even at night. The egg caterpillars hatch after five to eight days. The caterpillar eats the leaves of cultivated bananas (genus Musa ), especially Musa textilis . Hence the English name "banana skipper" comes from. The caterpillar is also said to feed on coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera ) and other palms. However, it was doubted whether Erionota thrax actually eats coconut palms. It could also be closely related species, such as B. the species Hidari irava , which specializes in coconut palms . Bamboo is also mentioned as a caterpillar food. This is also questioned.
The egg caterpillars start to eat at the edge of the leaves and cut strips into the leaf here, which they roll in towards the center of the leaf. The second and the following three caterpillar stages are enveloped in a waxy dust, which protects the caterpillars from drowning in the leaf rolls during rain. The caterpillars swing violently back and forth when they are disturbed and excrete a greenish liquid. The caterpillar stage only lasts 20 to 30 days depending on the temperature. Pupation takes place within the leaf roll of the adult caterpillar. The pupal stage lasts between eight and twelve days. The pupae also move violently when they are disturbed. The moths hatch in the afternoon.
Systematics
In 1767, Carl von Linné described a butterfly under P [apilio] on p. 794 of the 12th edition of the Systema Naturae . P [lebejus Urbicola]. Thrax. He refers to Figure 2 on Plate 42 in the work "Icones insectorum rariorum" by Carl Alexander Clerck , which was published in 1764. In 1878 Paul Mabille established the new genus Erionota , in 1893 EY Watson designated Papilio thrax Linné, in 1767 as a type species. The nomenclature became a bit complicated because Jacob Huebner described a very similar species as Gegenes thrax in 1821 , which was often confused with Erionota thrax . Gegenes thrax is an older, subjective synonym of Pelopidas midea Walker, 1870, the type species of Pelopidas Walker, 1870. The thick-headed butterfly species, which was introduced into Hawaii in 1973, was initially referred to as Pelopidas thrax . She was later identified as Erionota torus Evans.
Up to four subspecies are currently being excreted:
- Erionota thrax thrax , Indonesia
- Erionota thrax mindana , Philippines (middle and south)
- Erionota thrax hasdrubal , Northern Moluccas (Indonesia)
- Erionota. thrax alexandra , Luzon Island, northern Philippines
Harmful effect
In Southeast Asia, the species is a pest in banana plantations. However, the damage is comparatively small, because the production of the fruit is only impaired when the leaves are lost by 20% or more.
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ Bunsong Lēkhakun: Field guide to the butterflies of Thailand. 1977
- ↑ a b c d e Jorge E. Peña (Ed.): Tropical fruit pests and pollinators - biology, economic importance, natural enemies and control. 430 pp., CAB, Wallingford, 2002 ISBN 0-85199-434-2 GoogleBooks
- ↑ a b Analyze de Risque Phytosanitaire - Erionota thrax (L.) Lepidoptera PDF ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ^ Paul A. Opler & Andrew D. Warren: Butterflies of North America. 2. Scientific Names List for Butterfly Species of North America, north of Mexico. PDF ( Memento of the original from March 27, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b Paul A. Opler, James Wilson Tilden: A field guide to western butterflies. 2nd ed., 540 pp., Houghton Mifflin, Boston et al. a., 1999 ISBN 0-395-79151-0
- ^ Peter Neuenschwander: Biological control in IPM systems in Africa. 414 pp., CABI Publ., Wallingford et al. a., 2003 ISBN 0-85199-639-6
- ↑ Justin N. Okollea, Mashhor Mansora and Abu Hassan Ahmad: Seasonal abundance of the banana skipper, Erionota thrax (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and its parasitoids in a commercial plantation and a subsistence farm in Penang, Malaysia. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 26: 197-206 Cambridge University Press 2006 Abstract
- ^ FW Howard: Insects on palms. CABI Pub., Wallingford, Oxon, New York, 2001.
- ↑ John L. Capinera (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Entomology, vol. 3. 2nd ed., 2008, LXIII, pp. 2098-3224, ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1
- ^ Carl von Linné: Systema naturæ, Tom. I. Pars II. Editio duodecima reformata. pp.533-1327, Salvius, Holmiæ / Stockholm.
- ^ Carl Alexander Clerck: Icones insectorum rariorum. Sect. secunda cum nominibus trivialibus logisque e nob. equ. Linnæi systemate naturali adjectis. 5 p., Panels 17-55. Holmiæ / Stockholm.
- ^ Paul Mabille: Catalog des Hespérides du Musée Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de Bruxelles. Annales de la Société entomologique de Belgique, 4th series, 18: 12-44, Brussels 1878 p.34
- ↑ Butterflies and Moths of the World Generic Names and their Type-species - Erionota
