Yellow-tail
Swan ( Euproctis similis )
The Swan ( Euproctis similis ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the subfamily of Trägspinner ( Lymantriinae ) within the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 3.1 Flight and caterpillar time
- 4.1 Literature
Features
The moths reach a front wingspan of 1.5 to 1.8 centimeters. The females are much larger than the males. Above all, the abdomen looks a lot more powerful, because it contains the 200 eggs and the substances that are necessary for their production. The wing color is snow white with a dark spot on the upper side of the forewing. At the rear end of the abdomen one finds a strikingly yellow tuft of hair, which is similar to the Gold anus. Partly also other color variations occur. The Swan is active at dusk and at night.
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Similar Species
- Gold After ( Euproctis chrysorrhoea ) (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Grizzly ( Diaphora mendica ) ( Clerck, 1759)
Habitat
One finds this butterfly in open parklands, sparse deciduous forests, orchards and gardens throughout Europe. The distribution area extends to the north of central Scandinavia to southern Finland.
Way of life
The caterpillars feed on hardwoods like poplar, linden and oak trees, but cherry, apple and plum trees are in demand, so that it partially comes to considerable damage in orchards.
Flight and caterpillar time
These animals fly from June to August. From September to May is one the caterpillars. The females lay their eggs on the underside of leaves and cover them with the yellow hair of her abdomen. Immediately after hatching, the larvae begin to food intake. After the second moult they pupate and overwinter in wood crevices or in fall foliage. Against enemies, the caterpillars are in the warning colors black, white and red. In addition, they are covered all over with harsh hair, so that an enemy can not again lays hands on her if he has ever had a bad experience.