Hay miniature tensioner

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Hay miniature tensioner
Hay flyworm (Idaea inquinata)

Hay flyworm ( Idaea inquinata )

Systematics
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Spanner (Geometridae)
Subfamily : Sterrhinae
Tribe : Sterrhini
Genre : Idaea
Type : Hay miniature tensioner
Scientific name
Idaea inquinata
( Scopoli , 1763)

The hay dwarf tensioner ( Idaea inquinata ) is a butterfly ( moth ) from the tensioner family (Geometridae). It is an anthropophilic species that can be found almost only in settlement areas in Central Europe.

features

The wingspan ranges from 14 to 18 millimeters, rarely up to 19 millimeters, although the second generation is often smaller and only reaches around 11 millimeters. The forewings are relatively wide, their apex is rounded. The basic color of the wings is light brown to sand-colored with individual darker spots. They are also darkly dusty. The fringes are covered with distinct dark spots. The actual wing edge can also be provided with indistinct points. The inner and outer transverse lines are wavy, thickened in dots at the front edge. The median transverse line is often broken or incomplete. The discal spots are usually clearly developed.

The egg is irregular, but rounded in habit. It is covered with longitudinal and transverse ribs on the outside and is initially whitish and becomes salmon-red shortly before the egg caterpillars hatch.

The caterpillars are relatively short with strong constrictions and can be brownish or greenish in color. The back and side stripes are blackish, the ventral side is brightly colored. The head is relatively small and colored yellow or reddish.

The chestnut-brown doll has a darker head area, somewhat darker constrictions and an also darker cremaster , which is covered with hook-shaped bristles.

Occurrence and habitat

The species occurs from North Africa, across Southern Europe to Central Europe. In the west is the northern limit of distribution in France, Belgium and the southern Netherlands, in Central Europe in northern Germany; there are also isolated occurrences in the Baltic states. The reported individual occurrences in England, Denmark, Sweden and Finland are traced back to animals introduced with dried herbs. There is no evidence of being down-to-earth in these countries. The species is distributed further from Spain and Morocco in the west across Asia Minor, the Caucasus and Northern Iran to some Central Asian mountains. Further to the north, the occurrence extends to eastern Russia and the Crimea. The species is relatively rare almost everywhere in the distribution area. Occasionally, however, it occurs in slightly larger numbers on haylofts and in haystacks. From Jordan via Israel to Egypt and eastern Libya, the nominate subspecies is replaced by the subspecies Idaea inquinata adherbaria . The moths occur in Central Europe from the lowlands to the low mountain ranges up to about 700 meters, in the Alps up to about 1000 meters. There is evidence from Spain at an altitude of 1700 meters.

Phenology and way of life

The hay dwarf tension usually forms two generations a year, which fly from late April to mid-July and late July to mid-September. Generations are formed continuously under favorable climatic conditions. In Central Europe, the warmth-loving species is tied to human habitation and can therefore be found from January to October. It is even unclear whether it can survive in Central Europe in natural areas that are not influenced by humans, at least in the higher elevations. The moths are diurnal and fly in the afternoon and evening. If they are disturbed, they fly into dark corners. They are often seen on the walls of houses and stables. In the evening they come to artificial light sources and can also be baited.

The caterpillars feed on dried and withered plant parts and plant waste. Proven are: Melissa tea , dried coltsfoot flowers and peppermint tea . The species overwinters as a caterpillar, pupation takes place in spring in a fine web.

Systematics, phylogeny and nomenclature

The species was first scientifically described in 1763 by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli as Phalaena inquinata . In 1798 Johann Christian Fabricius described the species again, this time under the name Phalaena herbariata , which is therefore a younger synonym of Idaea inquinata (Scopoli, 1763). There are currently two subspecies: Idaea inquinata inquinata and Idaea inquinata adherbariata Staudinger, 1898.

Harmful effect

The species is rarely perceived as harmful. However, this can be the case if dried tea leaves, dried plants in herbaria or dried bouquets are more severely affected. Ebert also reported one case that the caterpillars of this species in a butterfly collection ate the abdomen of cocked butterflies. A real harmful effect is only likely to occur in the event of infestation by tea leaves (e.g. peppermint tea, lemon balm tea) in the trade.

Hazard and protection

Overall, this is not at risk in Germany. In individual federal states this sees z. Sometimes, however, different. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the species is considered endangered (Category 3), as is the case in Thuringia. In Lower Saxony it is even classified as very endangered (category 2).

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literature

  • Axel Hausmann: The Geometrid moths of Europe, 2nd Sterrhinae. In A. Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe 2. Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2004, ISBN 87-88757-37-4
  • Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 5: Spanner. (Geometridae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1981, ISBN 3-440-04951-5 .
  • Günter Ebert (Ed.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg Volume 8, Nachtfalter VI (Spanner (Geometridae) 1st part), Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart 2001. ISBN 3-8001-3497-7

Individual evidence

  1. a b Ebert, pp. 172–4
  2. http://s4ads.com/rotelisten/redlists/getknoten.php3?knoten_id=41751&taxon=Idaea+inquinata+(Scopoli%2C+1763)&test=xxx

Web links

Commons : Hay Zwergspanner  - Collection of images, videos and audio files