Erionota thrax
Erionota thrax
Erionota thrax is a butterfly of the family of Skipper ( Hesperiidae ). It belongs with a wingspan of up to 7 cm with the largest species of the skipper. As one of the few species of this family, it tends to outbreaks and can occur as a pest in banana plantations. The species has often been confused with Pelopidas thrax ( Hübner, 1821).
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 70-77 mm. The basic color of the front and hind wings is brown. The top of the front wing has three relatively large, yellow, translucent spots on in 2, 3 and the cell.
The egg is pale yellow and is bright red just before the hatching of the Eiraupen.
The caterpillars are light green with a black head. They are about 5 to 6 inches long.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Erionota anthrax comes from India, via South-East Asia to Papua New Guinea. In the north, the range extends to southern China. Meanwhile, supposed to have been deported to various Pacific Islands ( Solomon Islands, Hawaiian Islands ) the nature. However, there seems to z.T. be present confusion with Erionota torus Evans. The incidence in Hawaii is now attributed to this species. Also on Mauritius is the style now.
Way of life
There are continually formed several generations per year. The moths are most active at dawn and morning. They also fly to artificial light sources. The females lay eggs singly or in groups of up to 25 pieces on the leaves of the caterpillar food plants, preferably at the lower part of the leaf, halfway between the midrib and the leaf margin. Eggs are laid in the twilight and often even at night. The Eiraupen hatch after five to eight days. The caterpillar eats the leaves of this culture banana ( Musa ), particularly of Musa textilis. Hence the English name "banana skipper". The caterpillar will also eat coconut palms (Cocos nucifera ) and other palms. However, it has been doubted whether Erionota thrax actually eats coconut palms. It could be this is also closely related species, such as specialized in coconut kind Hidari irava. In addition, bamboo is known as caterpillar food. This, too, is doubted.
The Eiraupen begin at the edge of the leaves to eat here and cut strips in the leaf, which they curl inward toward the leaf center. The second and the following three stages caterpillars are enveloped by a waxy dust, which protects the larvae in the leaf rollers during rain from drowning. The caterpillars swing violently back and forth when they are disturbed and secrete a greenish liquid from. The crawler stage lasts only 20 to 30 days depending on the temperature. Pupation occurs within the leaf role of the adult worm. The pupal stage lasts between eight and twelve days. Even the dolls move violently when they are disturbed. The moths emerge in the afternoon.
System
Carl Linnaeus described on page 794 of the 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae a butterfly under P [ apilio ]. P [ lebejus Urbicola ]. Thrax. It referred to the Figure 2 on Plate 42 in the book " Icones insectorum rariorum " of Carl Alexander Clerck, which was published in 1764. 1878, Paul Mabille to the new genus Erionota, 1893 certain EY Watson Papilio thrax Linnaeus 1767 to the type species. The nomenclature was thus somewhat complicated because Jacob Hübner 1821 a very similar way as described Gegenes anthrax, which was often confused with Erionota anthrax. Gegenes anthrax is an older, subjective synonym of Pelopidas midea Walker, 1870, the type species of Pelopidas Walker, 1870. Example, the Dickkopffalterart, which was introduced in 1973 in Hawaii was first referred to as Pelopidas thrax. She was later identified as Erionota torus Evans.
Currently, up to four are excreted subspecies:
- Erionota thrax thrax, Indonesia
- Erionota thrax Mindana, Philippines (center and south)
- Erionota thrax hasdrubal, northern Moluccas (Indonesia)
- Erionota. thrax alexandra, Island of Luzon, northern Philippines
Harmful effect
In Southeast Asia, the species is a pest in banana plantations. However, the damage is relatively small, because the production of the fruit is impaired until a loss of 20% or more of the leaves.