Argent and Sable
Large spear tensioner ( Rheumaptera hastata )
The Great Spear tensioner ( Rheumaptera hastata ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
- 2.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 5.1 Literature
Features
Imago
The butterfly has a wingspan of 34-38 millimeters. The wings are black with white drawing elements of very variable extent. On the very narrow basal transverse line follows a wider inner transverse line. The dark midfield is crossed by white spots, which may be related to the transverse lines. The external cross- line forms a wide white band in which a black dot row is generally. In the black Saumfeld is the resolution in white spots shaft line that forms a hem directed towards arrow - or lance- tip-shaped drawing in the central part. From this element of the scientific name of the species is derived. The fringes are checkered black and white. The drawing of the hind wings is similar to the front wing. In some forms of black root is reduced to a few black spots.
Egg
The egg is yellowish. The surface is provided with a retikulaten pattern. At the crossing points of the network sit warts.
Caterpillar
The caterpillar is relatively short and tapers at both ends something. She is brown with a dark center line which is limited with yellow lines. Even the supporting back line and the side panel are yellow and can be extended with points. Pupation takes place between co- spun leaves.
Doll
The pupa is brown with a pointed, black cremaster with two pointed bristles at the end.
Way of life
Flight times and caterpillars
The Great Spear tensioner is a generation in which flies from late April to late July, at higher altitudes a little later. The eggs are of birch (Betula ), bog bilberries (Vaccinium uliginosum ) and blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus ) is stored. The caterpillars are found from June to August. They live between leaves spun together, where pupation takes place. The pupa overwinters. In the spring, then slip the butterfly.
Occurrence
The species occurs mainly in wet forests, valley meadows, high and birch bogs. It rises in the Alps up to 1,900 meters elevation. However, in northern Germany, it is limited to approximately the levels and the flat hills. In the deeper valleys of the Southern Alps Articles lacking The species is usually not rare, but usually not exactly common. The holdings vary from year to year.
Dissemination
The species occurs in almost all parts of Europe. The distribution area then extends across northern Asia to the Far East and large parts of China. The species is found in large parts of North America. Currently three subspecies are distinguished Rheumaptera hastata hastata, Rheumaptera hastata hastata nigrescens and Rheumaptera thulearia.