Black-brown moth

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Black-brown moth
Black-and-brown moth (Neptis sappho)

Black-and-brown moth ( Neptis sappho )

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Noble butterfly (Nymphalidae)
Subfamily : Kingfishers (Limenitidinae)
Genre : Neptis
Type : Black-brown moth
Scientific name
Neptis sappho
( Pallas , 1771)
Black-and-brown moth ( Neptis sappho )

The black-brown moth ( Neptis sappho , syn .: Neptis aceris ) is a butterfly (day butterfly ) from the family of the noble butterfly (Nymphalidae). It is the only species of gliding butterfly that is native to Europe . Other gliders are more familiar from West Africa or Southeast Asia .

features

Imago

The moths reach a wingspan of 40 to 46 millimeters. The upper wing surface of the forewings is black or black-brown colored with a band of white spots. There are also two white, wedge-shaped spots between the bandage and the wing root. The underside is rust-brown and otherwise shows the same white markings as the top. The wing upper side of the hind wings is also black or black-brown in color with a wide inner and a narrow outer, each white band, which are only broken through by the dark veins. In contrast to the very similar species of black moth ( Neptis rivularis ) and the similar small kingfisher ( Limenitis camilla ), the white markings are more extensive and two rows on the hind wings. The wings do not shimmer, which also distinguishes the butterfly from the blue-black kingfisher ( Limenitis reducta ). The underside is rust-brown and again shows the white drawing of the upper side, but is a little lighter than that of rivularis .

egg

The egg is green in color, has hexagonal cells and has short bristles.

Caterpillar

The caterpillar is brownish in color, has a white topline and several humps. A light gray saddle mark can be seen on the last segment.

Doll

The basic color of the doll is light brown, has a few golden dots, is stocky and protruding to the side. The drawings of the wings shine through shortly before they hatch.

Similar species

Occurrence

The black-brown pied butterfly is a Southeast European-Asiatic species. In German-speaking countries, it occurs in Austria and here preferentially in Lower Austria , Burgenland , Carinthia and Styria . The further distribution eastwards extends from the Czech Republic via Russia , India , Thailand and China to Japan . The species prefers to live in moist, sparse deciduous forests, in clearings and at forest edges.

Way of life

The moths do not suckle on flowers, but primarily on moist soil. They fly slowly and hovering and only rest briefly on bushes. During his gliding flights one can see his wing drawing perfectly. The females lay the eggs one by one on the leaves of the forage plants. The young caterpillars eat the leaves so that their outer parts hang down. They overwinter almost fully grown and pupate in spring.

Food of the caterpillars

The caterpillars feed mainly on the leaves of spring pea ( Lathyrus vernus ), blackening pea ( Lathyrus niger ) and common robinia ( Robina pseudoacacia ).

Flight and caterpillar times

The moths fly in two generations, from early May to early June in the first and from late June to mid-September in the second generation. The caterpillars are found from August and after wintering up to May of the following year in the first generation and in summer in the second generation.

Hazard and protection

The species is not native to Germany, which is why it is not classified on the Red List of endangered species . It is quite common in localized areas.

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Elizabeth Balmer: Butterflies: Recognize and determine. Parragon Books, 2007, ISBN 9781407512037 , p. 119
  2. ↑ a b c Walter Forster, Theodor A. Wohlfahrt: The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 2: Butterflies. (Rhopalocera and Hesperiidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1955, DNB 456642188 .
  3. ↑ M. Lindenbauer, Leipnitz: Neptis aceris Lepech. Journal of the Vienna Entomological Society. 34. Vol. 72/73

literature

  • Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 2: Butterflies. (Rhopalocera and Hesperiidae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1955, DNB 456642188 .
  • M. Lindenbauer, Leipnitz: Neptis aceris Lepech. Journal of the Vienna Entomological Society. 34. Vol. 72-73

Web links

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