Abraxas grossulariata
Gooseberry tensioner ( Abraxas g grossulariata )
The gooseberry tensioner ( Abraxas grossulariata ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). The species is sometimes referred to as gooseberry Harlequin.
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The folder will be up to 21 millimeters long and reaches a wingspan of 32-48 millimeters (35 to 40 mm). He has strikingly patterned forewings: On a white background one finds six transverse rows of black spots, which are partly connected with a yellow armband. The hind wings shine brighter because on them are usually much less dark spots and these are also smaller.
The distribution of black spots and yellow binding varies greatly. The f candida Raynor, 1909 is almost completely white, while, conversely, the f nigra Raynor, 1909 is almost completely black or black-brown. Many other color variations between these extremes were also named. These variations can occur anywhere in the distribution area, and assigned names for these variants have no nomenclatural status. The species is so striking that they may be confused with almost any other kind despite the variability.
Egg, caterpillar and chrysalis
The egg is oval with flattened base and slight lateral constriction. The little shiny surface shows a strong net-like structure. It is colored yellow with gray markings.
The color of the caterpillar is as variable as the color of the butterfly. It is usually pale yellowish white with many black spots. The density of black spots may be so high that the result is a pure black caterpillar. Almost always there is an orange-red wide sidelines. The head is shiny black in color. The adult caterpillar is up to 32 millimeters long.
The doll is shiny brown to black with bright yellow or orange segment cuts .. The cremaster has eight strong, hook-shaped bristles on.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The gooseberry tensioner is from the Iberian Peninsula to Central and East Asia (Japan, China and North Korea) spread ( several subspecies ). In the south of the area of distribution extends through the northern Mediterranean over the Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor to the Armenian Highlands in the north to the central Fennoscandia. The species is absent on the islands of the western Mediterranean. In the Alps, it rises up to 1500 meters.
One finds the more heat-loving species in gardens with berry bushes, especially common when sting and currant are available. Sometimes you meet them in lowland forests, bush rich in streams and in urban systems. The frequency is very different. In some years there are so many animals that damage occurs on the bushes and in other years you can hardly find a copy.
Way of life
The gooseberry tensioner is only one generation per year; the moths fly from late June to August. They are nocturnal and come to light. During the day the moths rest often open in the vegetation, but can be easily startled. The female moths lay eggs in groups on the undersides of leaves of the caterpillar food plants. After about two weeks the slip Eiraupen. The caterpillars are also nocturnal and spend the day in a loose cocoon between the leaves of the food plants. They will take place from June to August. Pupation occurs near the ground in a hammock- like network cocoon of the caterpillar food plant.
The caterpillars feed on the leaves of gooseberry (Ribes uva- crispa ), currant and various deciduous trees and shrubs such as blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), euonymus ( Euonymus ), hazel (Corylus ), willow ( Salix), black cherry ( Prunus padus ), hawthorn ( Crataegus ), buckthorn ( Rhamnus ), Large Stonecrop (Sedum telephium ), heather ( Calluna vulgaris) and other plants. The caterpillar overwinters between dead leaves or crevices.
Taxonomy and systematics
The species was described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Phalaena Geometra grossulariata first time scientifically. It is the type species of the genus Abraxas Leach, 1815 Currently three subspecies are distinguished.:
- Abraxas grossulariata grossulariata that Nominatunterart
- Abraxas grossulariata dsungarica Wehrli, 1939
- Abraxas grossulariata minor heart, 1905
Endangering
The holdings by the gooseberry tensioners are going back in Germany; it is therefore a kind of early warning.