Ascotis selenaria
Schlehenhecken gray tensioner ( Ascotis selenaria )
The Schlehenhecken gray tensioner ( Ascotis selenaria ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 5.1 Notes and references
Features
The Schlehenhecken gray tensioner reaches a wingspan of 38-48 millimeters. The forewings are characterized by a yellowish-white ground color from finely dusted dark and wear a bright, black -rimmed center spot. The middle shadow and the wavy line are often only vaguely drawn and continue on the hind wings. Furthermore, can be found on the fore wings brownish two transverse lines, the outer of which is sharply toothed. In Saumfeld are above the Radial 3 mostly one or two blackish spots. The species is distinctive because of the striking lunar spots on the front and rear wings.
The color and pattern of the caterpillar is variable and varies from one drawing loose green to finely marbled browns. They reach a length of up to 55 millimeters.
Subspecies
- Ascotis selenaria dianaria ( Hübner, 1817)
- Ascotis selenaria selenaria ( Denis & Schiffer Müller, 1775)
- Ascotis selenaria artemis Staudinger, 1897. Amur region to Japan and Korea
- Ascotis selenaria cretacea ( Butler, 1879)
- Ascotis selenaria reciprocaria ( Walker)
- Ascotis selenaria imparata ( Walker)
Synonyms
- Boarmia selenaria
Occurrence
The distribution area of Schlehenhecken gray tensioner extends from Spain and the Western Mediterranean via the Balkans, Asia Minor, the Black Sea region and the Caucasus to the Altai, as well as from Central and Eastern Europe to the Urals.
Way of life
The moth is found on rocky slopes, rear areas, bushy forest edges and sandy pine forests.
The caterpillars live polyphagous among other things, to the following plants: field wormwood (Artemisia campestris ), elderberry, roses, blackberry, Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius ), dandelion, birch ( (Sambucus spp.) ( Rosa spp.) (Rubus fruticosus agg. ) Betula spp.), strawberry trees (Arbutus sp. ), beaver Nellen (Pimpinella spp.), sweet clover ( Melilotus spp.), cypress Spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias ) Langblättrige acacia ( Mimosa longifolia), silver wattle ( mimosa dealbata ), Sage (Salvia spp.), Bald- willow ( Salix glabra).
The caterpillars pupate in the soil and overwinter.
The moths are nocturnal and fly like artificial light sources.
Flight times and caterpillars
The Schlehenhecken gray tensioner is essential in several dissemination areas three to five, in southern Europe two generations a year, flying from April to May and from July to August. The caterpillars are from September to October ( first generation) and from June to July (second generation) to be found. If only one generation formed because of climate conditions, then these flies from late June to early August, while you can watch the caterpillars of August to September.
Pest
Worldwide Ascotis selenaria is including its sub-species is a serious pest in commercial field crops. In Japan, the subspecies Ascotis selenaria cretacea one of the pests in tea plantations.
Other types of plants where the species was found as a pest are: Peanut ( Arachis hypogaea, Madagascar 1939), Neem ( Azadirachta indica, India 1940), citrus plants, White Mulberry (Morus alba, Japan (Citrus spec, South Africa 1965, Sicily 1937. ) 1917), coffee ( Coffea spp. Eastern Africa, 1972).