Scopula decorata
Sand thyme small tensioner ( Scopula decorata ) ( Unfavorable lighting conditions, the color has unnaturally get a shade of blue )
Called The sand thyme small tensioner ( Scopula decorata ), also thyme steppe grass tensioner, thyme - steppe grass - small clamps or thyme lawn tensioner, is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
Features
The moths often reach a wingspan of 22 to 27 millimeters, the following generations only 17 millimeters. The ground color is creamy white to yellowish white. The transverse lines are brown in color, the drawing elements of Saumfeldes mostly gray. Internal cross- Line and binding are poorly developed, often only indicated by ausgelängte spots or spot rows. Wherever these elements touch the front edge, clear Costalflecke are formed. Very significantly, however, the outer transverse line is drawn. In the front and the rear half of each is approximately in the center a spot similar to the outer transverse line. These spots are only on the front wings included and clearly marked brighter than the outer transverse line itself The outer transverse line is denticulate; of her going from triangle patches that show the outer edge. The hem line usually consists of brown, strongly elongated spots. From the hemline also go from triangular patches, however, show the tips of the root; the triangle rows of outer transverse line and hemline are so against constantly. For severe drawing the triangle rows can virtually free only a bright, jagged line in the color between them. However, starting from the hemline triangle series are often very blurred. The fringes are also staffed with very small brown or gray triangular spots in some specimens.
The egg is pale green. The outside has numerous longitudinal ribs which intersect with weaker transverse ribs.
The caterpillar is relatively long and slender. It is yellowish, reddish on the back with a black, double topline. The side lines are aimed know.
The doll is from 7.5 to 8.2 millimeters long and relatively slender. It is greenish-brown, red-brown at the back end. The elytra are greenish and moderately shiny. The cremaster is tongue- shaped and somewhat flattened dorsoventrally. It carries six hooks bristles.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The sand thyme Small clamper is in a large area of Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula in the west, across North Africa, South and Central Europe, Asia Minor, in the Caucasus, southern Russia, northern Iran, several Central Asian Mountains, Tajikistan, Afghanistan to western China. In the north, the range extends to the Baltic and southern Finland. According to their large distribution area and the often quite isolated islands spread, the species has been split into several subspecies, however, are connected by transitional forms.
The species is in their range is always quite rare and restricted to smaller, often isolated areas. It occurs only in warm dry areas where the main food plant of the caterpillars, namely thyme grows. This grows only on extremely nutrient-poor soils and in areas that are almost devoid of vegetation otherwise. These conditions are in sand and gravel pits fulfilled, for example, heathland with thinning pine vegetation on sand dunes on the coast, on dry grass, in wastelands and rocky steppes. North of the Alps is the kind therefore limited to the height level to 300 meters. In the Southern Alps and the Balkan peninsula the nature rises to 1,600 meters, in Turkey, northern Iran and in some Central Asian mountains to 3100 meters.
Phenology and life
The species is usually bivoltin in Central Europe, ie there are two generations formed. Under favorable conditions south of the Alps and in warmer regions, such as North Africa, three generations are formed. Under unfavorable conditions in northern Europe, however, only one generation is formed. The subspecies congruata eg Morocco is above 1200 meters univoltine to 100 meters bivoltin and trivoltin in the plane. The moths fly in the northern part of its range with only an educated generation from early May to early September, at higher altitudes also only from late June to early August. For two generations the moths appear in early May to early July and then again from mid-July to early September. In areas where three generations are formed, the moths appear already the end of March. The moths are seldom observed flying during the day; they rest in the vegetation, but can be easily startled. They are usually crepuscular and nocturnal and come to artificial light sources. The moths suck nectar from thyme flowers.
The caterpillars feed probably monophagous of sand thyme (Thymus serpyllum ). Perhaps the caterpillars feed also on other thyme species; this has so far not proven safe. France was also the evidence of lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis) and Common Wirbeldost are ( Clinopodium vulgare). The breeding succeeded even with oregano (Origanum vulgare). The caterpillar overwinters.
System
The species was described in 1775 by Michael Denis Johann Ignaz and Schiffermueller under the name Geometra decorata first time scientifically.
Currently, the species is divided into six subspecies: the Nominatunterart Scopula decorata decorata Denis & Schiffer Müller, 1775 ( South Eastern Europe, South Russia, Northern Italy, Southern France), Scopula decorata Violata Thunberg, 1784 (Northern Germany, Baltic States ), Scopula decorata congruata Zeller, 1847 ( Iberian Peninsula, southern Italy, North Africa ), Thierry - Mieg scopula decorata armeniaca, 1916 (Armenia ), scopula decorata przewalskii Viidalepp, 1975 ( Mongolia) and scopula decorata eurhythma Prout, 1935 (West China).
The western subspecies is guided by some authors as a separate species Scopula congruata Zeller, 1847.
Endangering
The sand thyme Small clamp is threatened with extinction in Germany. Currently there are only three states in lesser amounts, in Baden- Württemberg, Brandenburg and Saxony. In Brandenburg and Saxony, it is classified in Category 1 ( threatened with extinction ) in Baden- Württemberg in Category 2 ( high risk ). However, may have been formerly rarely the kind already. Nevertheless, for example, in Brandenburg stocks demonstrably fallen sharply. In the Netherlands the species is extinct since 1942