Clarina kotschyi
Clarina kotschyi is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). After Kitching & Cadiou (2000) the taxon is the sister species of Clarina syriaca, while the latter is considered kotschyi of Pittaway only as a subspecies of Clarina.
- 5.1 Notes and references
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 60 to 80 millimeters and are significantly larger than Clarina syriaca. The wing pattern of the two similar species differs in that C. syriaca has significantly fewer and paler oblique bars on the front wings and the outer edge is less perforated. The wing color of C. kotschyi is highly variable, ranging from reddish brown to pale gray with brown pollination.
The caterpillars are 55 to 70 millimeters long. They are beginning three to four millimeters long and colored pale yellow. They have a cylindrical body section and a black, straight, directed almost straight up, 1.25 mm long Analhorn. After their first food of the animals turn yellow - green. In the second stage, the Analhorn pink is colored and the body already shows the final coloring: the sides of the back runs, one yellow longitudinal line from head to Analhorn, on the body are numerous yellow dots and the back of each segment carries an inverted V. In last larval instar increases the third thoracic segment and the first abdominal segment, so that the front of it segments and the head can be withdrawn at a threat in it. In addition, the green color below the dorsolateral longitudinal line is glossed over some gray-blue and a narrow ventrolateral line occurs above the calf A Torah.
The oval eggs measure 1.5 times 1.25 millimeters. They are pale yellowish- green and often include a clearly identified a bubble, as is also observed in the eggs of lime hawkmoth ( Mimas tiliae ).
The doll is 35 to 48 millimeters long. It has similarity with that of the oleander hawkmoth ( Daphnis nerii ). The elytra are transparent brown, the wing veins are highlighted by lines of dark brown spots. Like the oleander hawkmoth the compound eyes are partially edged with a crescent-shaped pattern. The spiracles are surrounded dark.
Occurrence and habitat
The species is distributed by the Iranian highlands Mesopotamia to the eastern and central Turkey. In central Turkey occurred hybrid populations of C. syriaca. In central Iran, where the species occurs locally at altitudes of 2000 meters, it inhabits mountain valleys with Bushes, vineyards and isolated standing trees. In some wine-growing areas, it may be very frequent.
Way of life
The moths rest during the day hidden in the dense foliage of the caterpillar food plants or stones on the ground. From dusk to start all animals, even those that have hatched in the afternoon to fly. Initially they are looking for a short time nectar sources.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in three overlapping generations per year from early May to late August. The caterpillars can be observed from early May to September. Often several stages occur at the same time.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on grapevine (Vitis vinifera ), Virgin vine ( Parthenocissus ) and Ampelopsis.
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on the top and underside of the leaves of the caterpillar food plants. They prefer plants that grow at the edge of the slope of ravines, on the edges of vineyards or gardens. Throughout its development, the caterpillar sits still long stretched on the underside of leaves along the midrib and shows while eating rarely more than the head and first two thoracic segments. The caterpillars live extremely hidden and withdraw at the slightest alarm. Their movements are slow, anxious or jerky. The caterpillars are voracious and eat continuously throughout the duration of their development. Shortly before pupation, the animals turn reddish brown and her body wet with saliva secretion, to then climb down under cover of darkness from the food plant. Pupation takes place in a loosely woven cocoon of light brown floss between parts of plants and stones at the base of a rock or a grass tuft. The pupa overwinters. Parasitoids of the species are not known.