Brimstone moth

Yellow tensioner ( Opisthograptis luteolata )

The Yellow tensioner ( Opisthograptis luteolata ) is a butterfly of the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). His German style name received the yellow tensioner because of its bright yellow wings. Another common name for this species is lemon tensioner. To avoid confusion with the Brimstone ( Gonepteryx rhamni ), but is mostly used as a species name yellow tensioner.

Features

The species is due to their bright yellow front wings that are lined with red-brown spots on the front edge, distinctive. On the fore wings is also located each a white spot with a brown border. The hind wings are almost pure yellow and have only a few light brown spots on. The wingspan is 33-46 mm.

The caterpillars of the yellow tensioner have approximately centrally on the back of an extension which is very variable, but as happens with any other Spannerart and is therefore used for species identification. The color can not be identified the caterpillar as this varies between different brewing and greens. Characteristic is still the head shape of the track that is visible on the tracked photo. The caterpillars are almost completely hairless. Only on the legs and occasionally on the back hair are available.

Larval development

The caterpillars feed on various deciduous trees, such as apple trees, birch trees, rocks pears, berries flour, greengage, Schlehdorne, gooseberry plants, bird cherry, willow and hawthorn. The species overwinters as a caterpillar or pupa.

Flight time

The mostly nocturnal animals fly in one generation between late April and mid-July. The caterpillars can be found from July to August. The pupa overwinters. With favorable climatic conditions, from August to September, a second generation emerges. This is less intense yellow colored and marked.

Habitat

As the caterpillars of the yellow tensioner feed on various deciduous trees, they can be found in habitats such as mixed forests, parks and large gardens.

Swell

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