Rethera Brandti
| Rethera Brandti | ||||||||||||
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Rethera brandti , male |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Rethera Brandti | ||||||||||||
| O. Bang-Haas , 1937 |
Rethera brandti is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of moth (Sphingidae). Two subspecies are currently recognized.
features
The moths of the nominate subspecies have a wingspan of 42 to 46 millimeters, Rethera brandti euteles is slightly smaller with 40 to 45 millimeters. The species is similar to Rethera afghanistana . The forewings also have a lighter outer and inner edge as well as a distinctive light-colored band that runs across the center of the wings. Rethera brandti is significantly smaller than the similar species Rethera komarovi and, in contrast to this, has gray-edged abdomen segments and a fourth segment that is completely green. The subspecies Rethera brandti euteles is usually somewhat paler and colored with more gray than the nominate subspecies. In addition, most individuals lack the pink coloration, although there are also those that are very similar in color to the nominate subspecies. Both subspecies are almost invariable.
Occurrence and habitat
Rethera brandti brandti only occurs in northern Iran in the Elburs Mountains and in Kopet-Dag . Rethera brandti euteles is widespread from southeast Turkey and northeast Iraq to southern Iran in the Zāgros Mountains . Since the species lives very isolated, it is conceivable that the distribution extends even further.
The nominate subspecies colonizes weakly vegetated slopes up to 2000 meters above sea level. Like Rethera komarovi , the species is widespread, but only occurs locally, but then in large numbers. The moths fly to artificial light sources and are sometimes numerous there. The subspecies Rethera brandti euteles colonizes different habitats than the nominate subspecies, it inhabits hilly steppes and in the vegetation on the edge of deserts. The subspecies also occurs only locally and with a large number of individuals. You can find them between 1500 and 2500 meters above sea level.
Way of life
The nominate subspecies flies in one generation from April to mid-May, Rethera brandti euteles flies from the end of March to mid-May, depending on the altitude, whereby a second generation can occur.
The pre-imaginal stages of both subspecies, as well as any parasitoids, are unknown. It is believed, however, that the caterpillars feed on bed weeds ( Galium ).
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic. AR Pittaway, accessed July 5, 2013 .
- ↑ a b c d e f Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic. AR Pittaway, accessed July 5, 2013 .
