Cautethia grotei
Preparation of Cautethia grotei
Cautethia grotei is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). The species is the only one of its genus, which occurs in Florida and can be confused with any other Schwärmerart there. Due to the morphology of the male genitalia, the species is well distinguished from the closely related Cautethia spuria and Cautethia yucatana.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a forewing length of 13-18 millimeters. The forewings are brown gray patterned. The wings of females are much darker and have a more pronounced pattern than that of males. In these, the pattern is extremely variable, ranging from completely absent to clearly defined dark oblique Diskalbändern. The hind wings are colored bright orange yellow, the outer edge is brown. The brown border is at C. grotei narrower than in C. spuria. In this type of remaining hind wing is also more yellow colored instead of orange.
The caterpillars have the typical physique of the genus in the last stage. They have a pale lime green to blue-green color. The body can not, or little to heavily speckled with brown dots to be. The spiracles are orange and white. Along the entire body runs a weak, white Subdorsallinie. Another longitudinal white line runs below the spiracles, and is sometimes very faintly discernible front, on the rearmost three or four segments, however, very strong. On the face there are two white stripes. These are wider with strong brown speckled animals.
The doll is dull and has a slightly rough surface. The elytra are nearly black, the brown abdomen is black patterned at the segment spaces. The cremaster is black and has a rough surface. He is basally broad and ends in a double peak.
Occurrence
The species is nearly ubiquitous in the Greater Antilles and in South Florida. They are common in the Florida Keys and the islands south of Florida. North reaches the permanent dissemination to the temperaturbegünstigteren west coast at least as far Honeymoon Iceland, Siesta Key and Sanibel. However, vagrants to fly up to New England. The species inhabited in Florida undergrowth of tree islands ( Hammocks ).
Way of life
The adults fly from dusk, through the night flowers on a regular basis. They were to Asystasia gangetica detected Pink Catharanthe (Vinca rosea) and lantana ( Lantana camara ). The moths are also attracted by artificial light sources.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly all year round, but are apparently in Florida in late spring frequently. Since at any time all stages of development can be found and takes the pupal period from three weeks to two months, an assignment to each generation is impossible.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars were detected at Erithalis fruticosa and Chiococca, both from the family of Rubiaceae ( Rubiaceae ).
Development
The females lay their tiny eggs singly on the underside of the leaves of the caterpillar food plants. The caterpillars are solitary and spend their entire development on the underside of the leaves on the midrib sitting. Pupation takes place in a chamber just below the surface.