Saturnia pavoniella
The Southern Small Emperor Moth ( Saturnia pavoniella ), also called the Ligurian Peacock Moth, is a butterfly belonging to the family of the peacock moth ( Saturniidae ). The species was separated by Huemer & Nässig from the Small Emperor Moth ( Saturnia pavonia ) 2003. This is especially justified by the sterility of F1 hybrids of the two species, the differences in wing pattern and genital morphology.
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 5.1 Notes and references
Features
Butterfly
The moths have a wingspan of 45 to 70 mm ( males ) and 50 to 95 mm (females ). They are thus larger than the similar Small Emperor Moth. The males are also usually strong stainless - up burgundy colored, the females have especially on the hind wings often a pink pollination. Also, the outline of the wing is rounded, often with wide everted outer edge of the fore wings. In contrast, the similar species has triangular-like forewings with a straight outer edge.
At least in the East Alpine populations (especially in females ), the course of post and Submediallinien of the hind wings is a good differentiator. In S. pavoniella the two lines are very close behind the eye patch to expand back down towards the inner edge. Prior to the inner edge of the bend lines clearly visible from the rear. The two lines are nearly parallel in the similar way to the inner edge and do not bend at the edge to the rear. Similarly, to distinguish the eastern populations of the abdomen of the female is suitable. In S. pavoniella he is almost monochromatic gray-brown and wears only sometimes lighter brown colored Intersegmentalhäute. In S. pavonia the abdomen is plain gray with whitish transverse stripes on the rear segment boundaries. However, these two features can not be used for species identification in northeastern Spain and southern France populations. In general, the features are only slightly variable. Problems in Artabgrenzung apparently prepare occurring in overlap areas F1 hybrids, which may occur through their reproductive male hybrid introgression.
In the male the ventral edge of the blades is provided with a flap- like appendage. In similar fashion, a second mandrel- shaped extension at the distal end of the saccule is formed which is formed in S. pavoniella most as small denticles. In the female genitalia the tips of the Postapophysen are moderately expanded significantly to an arrow shape.
Egg
The eggs are 1.4 times 2.2 millimeters in size and are grayish - white with olive - brown adhesive material.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars reach a length of 67-88 millimeters. The first two to three millimeters long animals are initially black and bristles. With increasing growth occur orange stains around the base of the tubercle, produced especially ventro -laterally. These extend over the continued development of, merge and - unlike S. pavonia where this occurs rarely before - after the third molt increasingly green. In general, the full-grown animals are peppermint green and wear on the abdomen a yellow longitudinal line below the spiracles. Each segment is provided at the back with a semi- ring of six spine- proven tubercles, sometimes basally wear a black ring. These may merge into black spots in some animals. The fully grown caterpillars have in their body color significantly less black units where p pavonia.
The caterpillars of S. pavonia are colored variable from the second stage in general and are also colorful, restless and less uniformly patterned than that of S. pavoniella. In the latter type out the black rings are resolved to the individual segments along the solos in single spots to green, and the black topline remains the longest. In the fourth stage, the caterpillar has often a grid pattern with additional black Qerringen over the Scoli. In similar style to the first Dorsallinie dissolves, while the rings remain the longest black. The caterpillar in the fourth stage is then stained much more irregular and has only very rarely a grid pattern. The full-grown caterpillars are often pavionella to the Scoli monochrome green at p, whereas the caterpillars of similar type have at least black cross rings along the Scoli. The reduction of the Black shares is individual and highly variable moisture, temperature and light dependent. The drier, warmer and brighter, the sooner caterpillars are green. The tubercles on the Scoli are individually variable reddish yellow or less frequently.
Doll
The comma-shaped doll is 22 to 28 millimeters long. It is light to dark brown in color and dorso- ventrally flattened considerably.
Similar Species
- Giant Peacock Moth ( Saturnia pyri)
- Medium Peacock Moth ( Saturnia spini )
- Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia
Occurrence
The species occurs from the alpine areas of Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Italy via South-East Europe in the north of Turkey and the Caucasus. The species status in Asia Minor, however, is unclear, as is the distribution of the species in south-eastern France. In southern Germany and northern Austria, the presence of the species overlaps with that of S. pavonia. From Upper Austria there are a few documents.
Way of life
The life of S. pavoniella does not differ from that of S. pavonia. Only during mating behavior, there are differences. The females of the first type is paired successively with several males, whereas the other type only once attracts males and after the first mating ceases.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly from February to June. In northern Greece, the maximum is in May.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on polyphagous. Depending on the region they prefer other food crops. These include in particular Rubus species, Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorn (Crataegus ), oak (Quercus ), hornbeam (Carpinus ) birches (Betula ), willow ( Salix), heather (Erica ), blueberries (Vaccinium ), Spier shrubs ( Spiraea ), meadowsweet ( Filipendula ), blood pasture Riche ( Lythrum ), finger herb ( Potentilla ), roses (Rosa), heather ( Calluna ) and sea buckthorn ( Hippophae ). In northern Greece, one finds the caterpillars mostly in Mediterranean blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius ) and Pyrus amygdaliformis.
Development
The females lay their eggs in a nest unordered, which is regularly but sparsely durchmengt with scales of the abdomen. The caterpillars hatch 10 to 14 days after the filing. Initially they eat parts of the eggshell and then gather in groups. They move around quite open and keep to eat more on the low parts of the food plants on. From the third stage, they spread and live as a loner. Larger caterpillars can be found then higher up on the food plants. Pupation takes place in a double-walled brown cocoon deep down place at the food plant. Frequently it is located at the level of the ground. The outer, very wide, sac-like layer is loose and closed. The inside layer is firm, very slender, elongated pear-shaped. It is formed a double slip Reuse. The smaller cocoon of S. pavonia, however, is without a complete outer layer, the inner cocoon is more compact and rounded. Parasitoids that attack the way, are not known.