Xanthyris flaveolata
| Xanthyris flaveolata | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xanthyris flaveolata |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Xanthyris flaveolata | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus 1758) |
.jpg)
.jpg)
Xanthyris flaveolata is a South American butterfly fromthe Spanner family (Geometridae). The species name is derived from the Latin word flavo with the meaning "yellow" and refers to the dominant color on the upper side of the forewing of the butterfly.
features
butterfly
The upper side of the wings of the butterfly shows a striking yellow color, which can vary from luminous yellow to saffron yellow. In some countries the species was given the common name Saffron Playboy . The front and outer edges of the forewings are bordered with a black band, as are the outer and inner edges of the hind wings. From the middle of the front edge of the forewings, a short comma-like sign points towards the middle of the wing. The veins protrude whitish in the submarginal region of all wings.
Pre-imaginal stages
The first stands have not yet been described.
Similar species
- Moths of the genus Xanthyris , which are similar in color , differ in the width and shape of the black bands on the upper sides of the wings.
- The moths of Smicropus laeta differ significantly due to a black diagonal band on the upper side of the forewing and an orange-yellow basic color.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Xanthyris flaveolata extends through large parts of tropical South America. The main habitat are tropical rainforests.
Way of life
The moths are diurnal. Despite their very conspicuous appearance, they are rarely attacked by predators. This is probably due to the fact that the color yellow indicates the warning "poisonous" in many animals. There are also examples from other animal orders , such as the terrible poison dart frog ( Phyllobates terribilis ) or the yellow-banded tree climber ( Dendrobates leucomelas ). Whether the moths of Xanthyris flaveolata are actually poisonous or whether they are a protective mimicry requires further research. The moths of Xanthyris flaveolata show an unusual behavior for spider species, in that they occasionally seek out a large number of moist soil spots in order to absorb liquid and minerals. However , this behavior is known from many butterflies . Further details on the species' way of life have yet to be explored.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d learnaboutbutterflies information about Saffron Playboy at Moths of the Amazon and Andes
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. - Taxonomy and photo