Rhodometra sacraria
| Rhodometra sacraria | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rhodometra sacraria |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Rhodometra sacraria | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1767) |
Rhodometra sacraria , also known as red- striped wandering spanner , red-striated knotweed spanner or sulfur- yellow jewelry spanner , is a butterfly ( moth ) fromthe spanner family (Geometridae). The German names are not in use, however, as they are not a native species in Central Europe. They are not used in the literature cited, but are occasionally used in popular science publications or websites.
features
Rhodometra sacraria reaches a wingspan of 23 to 26 millimeters; the generations flying late in the year are on average smaller at 16 to 26 millimeters. The basic color of the forewings is usually yellowish, but in one to five percent of cases it can also be light yellow, sandy or pink. Experiments suggest that the color changes depend on the ambient temperature in earlier stages of development. From the rear edge, just towards the edge of the wing center, runs a reddish, brownish or black line ending at the wing tip ( apex ), always very clearly developed (also known as a "post-media" line). The black variant of the line that varies in width occurs almost only in females. In some specimens, the cell is colored the same color as the post-media line. Discal spots are mostly present and also kept in the same color as the post-media line and cell. In some specimens, the wings, especially in the areas between the veins, are dusty in the color of the drawing elements, especially the border area; a hemline can be indicated by increased over-dusting. The fringes are usually kept in the basic color. In contrast to the fore wings, the hind wings are solid white.
The egg is relatively very long. It is yellowish in color, with distinct red spots.
The slender caterpillars reach a length of up to 25 millimeters and have a pale brown or green colored body that is whitish on the underside. A pale yellowish brown ring color is occasionally observed between the segments. The green shapes of the caterpillars have a wide pale brown band on their backs and a white, dark brown line on the inside, which becomes stronger towards the rear end. The side stripe is light yellow. The head is pale reddish brown in color and relatively small.
The doll is relatively slim; it measures an average of 9.2 mm in length and 2.7 mm in diameter. It is yellowish brown-gray in color, with darker points. A red-brown stripe on the front edge of the fore and hind wings is striking. The wing sheaths themselves are darker than the basic color. The cremaster is relatively large, wide and rounded. The four pairs of bristles are curved like hooks and about the same length. Two more hook-shaped bristles sit on the side near the base of the Kremaster.
Occurrence and habitat
In Europe , the species is only native to warmer climes such as the Mediterranean . In summer the moths migrate to southern Scandinavia . The species is a cosmopolitan and migratory butterfly . Outside of Europe it can be found on the Canary Islands , Madeira , the Azores , on the African continent to South Africa , St. Helena and Madagascar . The distribution area of Rhodometra sacraria continues to extend over large areas of the Asian continent . In Central America she was observed in San Salvador .
In the Mediterranean area, the moths are omnipresent, they are particularly numerous in the lowlands near the coast, in Mediterranean thickets and scrub landscapes ( maquis ) and in sand dunes . In Central and Northern Europe , the flown-in butterflies are mainly found in dry places with pioneer vegetation such as in fallow countries and urban areas.
Way of life
Rhodometra sacraria occurs in several generations ( polivoltin ) in the Mediterranean area between late March and mid-November. In Central and Northern Europe, the moths usually immigrate from the beginning of June; Descendants of these immigrants fly from August to November. In North Africa and the Levant , the species occurs all year round. The moths sometimes fly during the day and are easily scared away from their seats. At night they are attracted by artificial light sources . The moths feed on flower nectar , for example that of the meadow knapweed ( Centaurea jacea ).
The caterpillars feed mainly on knotweed plants (Polygonaceae). Here they prefer the bird knotweed ( Polygonum aviculare ) and the stinging sorrel ( Emex spinosa ). Occasionally, however, the caterpillars are also found on sumac plants (Anacardiaceae), daisy plants (Asteraceae), foxtail plants (Chenopodiaceae), rose plants (Rosaceae). The caterpillars pupate in a net cocoon made of yellow silk, which is attached to a stem of the food plant.
Systematics
The species was first scientifically described in 1767 by Carl von Linné under the name Phalaena Geometra sacraria . Later, the species was still under the name Pyralis sacral Thunberg, 1784 Phalaena fulvaria Fabricius, 1794 Phalaena Geometra labda Cramer, 1777 Phalaena Geometra sanguinaria Esper, 1801 Aspilates lividaria Costa, 1848 Aspilates Minervae Gistel, 1856, Rhodometra plectaria debiliaria Rothschild , Described in 1914; all names are younger synonyms of Rhodometra sacraria (Linné, 1767).
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ Jan Pactočka: The pupae of the tensioners (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) Central Europe: subfamily Sterrhinae. Bonn zoological contributions, 51 (4): 269-296, Bonn 2002 ISSN 0006-7172 PDF ( Memento of the original from May 17, 2014 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. (2.9 MB)
literature
- David J. Carter, Brian Hargreaves: Caterpillars and Butterflies of Europe and their Forage Plants. Blackwell Wissenschaftsverlag 1987, ISBN 3-826-38139-4
- Günter Ebert (Hrsg.): The butterflies of Baden-Württemberg Volume 8, Nachtfalter VI (Spanner (Geometridae) 1st part), Ulmer Verlag Stuttgart 2001. ISBN 3-800-13497-7
- GF Hampson: The Fauna of British India. Moths. Vol. III. P. 424, Taylor and Francis, London 1895
- Axel Hausmann: The Geometrid moths of Europe, 2nd Sterrhinae. In A. Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe 2. Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2004, ISBN 8-788-75737-4
- Manfred Koch , Wolfgang Heinicke, Bernd Müller: We determine butterflies. Volume 4: Spanner. 2nd, improved and enlarged edition. Neumann, Leipzig / Radebeul 1976, DNB 780451570 .
annotation
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. Taxonomy and Photos
- Rhodometra sacraria at Fauna Europaea
- Ian Kimber: Guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland (English)
- Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa (English)