Harrisimemna trisignata
| Harrisimemna trisignata | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harrisimemna trisignata |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Harrisimemna trisignata | ||||||||||||
| ( Walker , 1856) |
.jpg)
Harrisimemna trisignata is a butterfly ( moth ) fromNorth Americafrom the family of the owl butterfly (Noctuidae).
features
butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of about 31 millimeters. The basic color of the forewings is whitish, slightly blackish marbled and provided with irregularly distributed black-brown spots and lines. Ring and kidney defects are centered dark brown and bordered in black brown. Three almost circular red-brown to gray-brown spots are typical of the species, which are located in the basal region , at the inner corner and particularly large and clear at the apex . The upper side of the hind wing in the males is whitish, slightly darkened towards the front edge, in the females it is a monochrome dark gray color. The fringes are checked in black and white. There is a dense red-brown tuft of hair on the thorax . In the middle of the abdomen, another, smaller, tuft of hair of the same color stands out.
Similar species
The butterflies are unmistakable due to the distinctive wing pattern.
Caterpillar
Fully grown caterpillars are mostly dark brown in color, sometimes slightly whitish on the sides and back. The individual body segments are provided with tips, humps and individual long hairs. The caterpillars show extraordinary camouflage and defensive behavior: from behind they resemble a jumping spider that lifts its hind legs, from the side they resemble worn cobwebs or bird droppings. On the hair above their head they have one or more stripped capsules from previous moults . Unless enemies such as parasitic wasps approaching (Ichneumonidae), she hit her head vigorously swinging back and forth, with the old head capsule also serves as a weapon.
Distribution and occurrence
The distribution area of Harrisimemna trisignata extends over the eastern and some central regions of North America. The species prefers to colonize light forests and grasslands rich in bushes.
Way of life
The moths fly between May and September, mainly in July. They are nocturnal and fly to artificial light sources . As a food source for the caterpillars, the leaves are a variety of different plants, and include: honeysuckle - ( Lonicera ), Snowball - ( Viburnum ), holly - ( Ilex ), willow ( Salix ), ash ( Fraxinus ), apple ( Malus ) and snow tree species ( Chionanthus ).
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Information from Iowa State University's Bug Guide
- ^ Locations according to information from Mississippi State University
- ↑ flight times
literature
- Francis Walker: List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum , List Spec. Lepid. Insects Colln Br. Mus. 9, 1, 1856, p. 29
Web links
- insecta.pro - head of the caterpillar
- funet.fi - dissemination
- galeps.org - photos of males and females