American Snout Butterfly
Libytheana carinenta, males
Libytheana carinenta is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ) and the subfamily of snout moths ( Libytheinae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Description
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 35 to 50 millimeters. Striking is the jagged outer edge of the wing. The color in the basal and Diskalregion is orange-red, brownish in Postdiskal and Submarginalregion. On the forewing upper side there are several white spots. The forewing underside shows a similar color pattern as the front, but a bit blurry. The hind wing underside is light brown, gray-brown, red-brown or black-brown marbled.
For the butterflies are typically very long, hairy palps, stretched forward emanating from the head and like a snout or together with the sensors like the stalk of a leaf look. For this feature, there is also the name used in the English language American Snout Butterfly ( "American snout butterfly "). At rest, with wings folded so they resemble a withered leaf. The colorful front wings are hidden behind the hind wings. Through this disguise they are well protected from predators.
Dark brown underwings of a moth in the protective position
Egg
The eggs have an oval shape, a pale green color, are covered with ribs, and are individually stored in the young leaves of the crop plants.
Caterpillar
Full-grown caterpillars have a green or yellowish ground color, wide yellow side stripes and polka dots yellow white on the entire body surface. Behind the head are two small flat warts.
Doll
The Stürzpuppe varies according to the species occurs in deep-green, blue-green, yellow-green or brownish colors. Sometimes it is provided with white or yellow stripes. At the tips of the elytra some white dots are visible.
Similar Species
A certain similarity to Zürgelbaumfalter ( Libythea celtis ), but the less have white spots on the forewing upper side. Since this type also occurs only in Europe, North Africa and Asia, there is no geographical overlap with Libytheana carinenta.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Libytheana carinenta includes the south of Texas and Florida, Central America and large parts of northern and central South America. At intervals of several years may lead to outbreaks. It be up to 200 moths were observed latching on a tree. As migrant moths they can reach the east coast of Canada the north even. In 1921, roamed about six billion Falter for a period of 18 days, a 250 miles wide area on both sides of the Rio Grande. This corresponds to a rate of about a million moths per minute. The species prefers to live in sub-tropical forests and overgrown with thorn bushes landscapes.
Way of life
In Florida and Texas, the moths fly in several generations throughout the year. To accommodate nectar they like to suck on various flowers. They also take liquid and minerals from damp soil places where they sometimes arrive in large numbers and also suck on over-ripe fruit. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of hackberry trees (Celtis ). The moths overwinter in the southern distribution areas.
Subspecies
The following subspecies are distinguished:
- Libytheana carinenta carinenta
- Libytheana carinenta bachmanii
- Libytheana carinenta larvata
- Libytheana carinenta mexicana
- Libytheana carinenta streckeri