Eupithecia lanceata

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Eupithecia lanceata
Eupithecia lanceata

Eupithecia lanceata

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Spanner (Geometridae)
Subfamily : Larentiinae
Genre : Eupithecia
Type : Eupithecia lanceata
Scientific name
Eupithecia lanceata
( Huebner , 1825)

Eupithecia lanceata is a butterfly ( moth ) fromthe Spanner family (Geometridae). The sometimes used trivial names "spruce blossom tensioner", "spruce needle blossom tensioner" or "fir blossom tensioner" are ambiguous, as, for example, the coniferous blossom tensioner ( Eupithecia tantillaria ) occasionally appears in the literature under the name "spruce blossom tensioner".

features

butterfly

The wingspan of the moth is 16 to 22 millimeters. Because of the very pointed wing shape, the scientific name of the species is derived from the Latin lancea  =  lance . The basic color of all wings is predominantly light red-brown or yellow-brown and has long fringes. In the middle of the forewings a black-brown, elongated discal spot stands out. A dark semicircular ring drawing runs through this, which has its beginning and its end on the wing's leading edge. Due to this typical feature, the moths can hardly be confused. The wavy line is mostly black-brown towards the inside. Sometimes the midfield is also darkened. Butterflies drawn in this way show a distant resemblance to the goosefoot floret ( Eupithecia sinuosaria ).

egg

The yellow-white, oval egg shows depressions on the shell sculpture, which are surrounded by winding elevations.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are very slender, colored ocher or brown, show dark back and side back lines, a light longitudinal stripe and a light red-brown or white-yellow side edge. A dark, light-colored spot stands out on the anal valve.

Doll

Black eyespots stand out from the yellow-brown doll . The abdomen is reddish brown and very shiny.

Geographical distribution and occurrence

Eupithecia lanceata occurs in Western and Central Europe, in the east as far as Siberia . It is missing in the Mediterranean area . In the Alps it can still be found at an altitude of 1,400 meters. The species prefers coniferous and mixed forests.

Way of life

The moths are crepuscular and nocturnal. They mainly fly from March to May, making them a fly flyer species very early in the year. They were also observed visiting pussy willows . They appear in both sexes in artificial light sources . The caterpillars live from May to June and prefer to feed on the needles of the Norway spruce ( Picea abies ). Female moths lay their eggs one by one, usually on old needles near newly forming shoots. The pupae overwinter.

Danger

In Germany, Eupithecia lanceata occurs in all federal states and is not endangered.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Vladimir Mironov: The Geometrid Moths of the World . In: Axel Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe . 1st edition. Volume 4: Larentiinae II. Perizomini and Eupitheciini . Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2003, ISBN 87-88757-40-4 (English).
  2. ^ Arnold Spuler: The butterflies of Europe , Volume 2, E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1910
  3. ↑ a b c d Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 5: Spanner. (Geometridae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1981, ISBN 3-440-04951-5 .
  4. ↑ a b Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg. Volume 9. Moths VII. Geometridae 2nd part . 1st edition. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 2003, ISBN 3-8001-3279-6 .

literature

  • Vladimir Mironov: The Geometrid Moths of the World . In: Axel Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe . 1st edition. Volume 4: Larentiinae II. Perizomini and Eupitheciini . Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2003, ISBN 87-88757-40-4 (English).
  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg. Volume 9. Moths VII. Geometridae 2nd part . 1st edition. Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim) 2003, ISBN 3-8001-3279-6 .

Web links

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