Four-band leaf tensioner

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Four-band leaf tensioner
Four-banded leaf tensioner (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata), shape with a brown central field

Four-banded leaf tensioner ( Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata ),
shape with a brown central field

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Spanner (Geometridae)
Subfamily : Larentiinae
Genre : Xanthorhoe
Type : Four-band leaf tensioner
Scientific name
Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata
( Clerck , 1759)
Shape with a black-brown middle field

The four-banded leaf tensioner ( Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata ), also known as the four-banded leaf tensioner , is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of the tensioners (Geometridae). The specific epithet is based on the Latin words quadrus and fascia (the associated adjective quadrifasciata was misspelled by the author as quadrifasiata ) with the meanings "quadruple" and "bandage" and refers to the dark middle field on the upper side of the forewing of the butterfly, which is indicated by transverse lines in divided into four strips. In the literature, the four-banded leaf tensioner can also be found under the species name Xanthorhoe quadrifasciata, which is incorrect according to the nomenclature rules .

features

butterfly

The moths reach a wingspan of 23 to 31 millimeters. On the upper side of the forewing, the color of the midfield varies from gray-brown to black-brown. It is slightly brightened in the form of a central band. In addition to the elongated black discal stain , narrow dark transverse bands run on both sides. The white outer transverse line sharply delimits the jagged midfield. The edge area is red-brown to gray-brown, the basal region is light gray to light brown. The wavy line is white. On the gray-white upper side of the hind wings, a few thin, dark transverse lines stand out, which shine through to the underside.

Caterpillar

Adult caterpillars are smooth and slender, slightly wrinkled on the sides. They are colored ocher, brownish or gray and show a dark brown topline, which is expanded to diamond spots on the middle segments. The ventral side is light brown. A clear black line stands out on the first belly leg.

Distribution and occurrence

The species occurs from Spain across western and central Europe including the British Isles to East Asia, where it is represented by the subspecies Xanthorhoe quadrifasciata ignobilis . In the north the area extends into northern Fennoscandinavia , in the south over Italy and the countries of the Balkans to the Caucasus . The four-band leaf tensioner inhabits forest edges, clearings, hedge areas, wet meadows, fens and heaths as well as gardens and park landscapes. In the Alps it rises to heights of 1500 meters.

Way of life

The moths are nocturnal and like to visit artificial light sources . The high proportion of females is striking. As a rule, a generation is formed each year, the moths of which fly in the months of June to August. Individual specimens, which are sometimes found in southern areas in September, come from a second generation. The caterpillars feed on low plants, to include Taubnessel- ( Lamium ), nettle ( Urtica ), plantain ( Plantago ), Primrose ( Primula ), Labkraut- ( Galium ), Nelkenwurz- ( Geum ) and blueberry species ( Vaccinium ). The pupae overwinter.

Danger

The four-banded leaf tensioner occurs in Germany in large numbers in the individual federal states and is classified as "not endangered" on the Red List of Endangered Species .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Arnold Spuler: The butterflies of Europe , Volume 2, E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1910, p. 48
  2. ^ Axel Hausmann, Jaan Viidalepp: The Geometrid Moths of Europe . In: Axel Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe . 1st edition. Volume 3: Larentiinae II . Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2012, ISBN 978-87-88757-39-2 (English). , Pp. 118/119
  3. ^ A b Walter Forster , Theodor A. Wohlfahrt : The butterflies of Central Europe. Volume 5: Spanner. (Geometridae). Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1981, ISBN 3-440-04951-5 , pp. 99-100.
  4. ^ A b 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 , pp. 255-257
  5. ↑ Manfred Koch , Wolfgang Heinicke, Bernd Müller: We determine butterflies. Volume 4: Spanner. 2nd, improved and enlarged edition. Neumann, Leipzig / Radebeul 1976, DNB 780451570 , pp. 118-119.
  6. ↑ Endangerment

literature

  • Axel Hausmann, Jaan Viidalepp: The Geometrid Moths of Europe . In: Axel Hausmann (Ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe . 1st edition. Volume 3: Larentiinae II . Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2012, ISBN 978-87-88757-39-2 (English).
  • 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
  • Arno Bergmann: The large butterflies of Central Germany. Volume 5/1: Spanner. Distribution, forms and communities. Urania-Verlag, Jena 1955, DNB 450378403 .

Web links

Commons : Four Color Leaf Tensioner  - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files