Elophos vittaria

Brown Gray Mountain Forest Stone tensioner ( Elophos Vittaria )

The Brown Grey Mountain Forest Stone tensioner ( Elophos Vittaria ) or Moorberg forest stone clamp is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).

• 6.1 Notes and references
• 6.2 Literature

Features

Butterfly

The moths in Central Europe reach a wingspan of about 32 to 38 millimeters, those in Fennoscandia approximately 25 to 36 millimeters. On the Wings prevail pale gray or light brownish tints. While the inner transverse line formed on the fore wings only weak, raises the outer clearly from the background and sets as striking on the hind wings on. All four wings are decorated with circular, dark, but bright spots centered, with those formed on the hind wings usually weaker. At the hem there are some dark spots. The antennae of the males are combed on both sides.

Caterpillar

Adults caterpillars have a brown coloration. Characteristic are the yellow-brown diamond pattern on its back and two small spines on the posterior segment.

Similar Species

The moths of the light gray stone mountain forest - tensioner ( Elophos dilucidaria ) are drawn slightly more contrast and silvery- gray color.

Synonyms

• Gnophos Sordaria
• Catascia Sordaria
• Yezognophos Vittaria

Occurrence

The distribution area of the brown horror mountain forest - stone tensioner breaks in Europe into two separate sub-regions. In the Alps and the low mountain ranges is the ssp. mendicaria encountered. The nominate ssp. Vittaria lives in Fennoscandia. From there, the distribution area east over Russia, stretching as far as Asia, including Japan. In the Southern Alps the nature rises up to 2000 meters. It inhabits preferred mountain forests, bogs and rocky slopes.

Way of life

The moths are mostly nocturnal and fly to artificial light sources. During the day, they like to rest on rocks and stones covered with lichens or tree trunks, from which they hardly stand out color. Main flight period are the months of June and July. The caterpillars live in late summer at low plants, for example in blueberries (Vaccinium ) and birches (Betula ). The caterpillars overwinter and pupate in May.

Endangering

The species is found only in a few German states, is in Bavaria area as not rare, endangered in Baden- Württemberg, however. The species was considered extinct in the Harz 1988, but was again proven several times after 1992, so that it is currently out of this area as " critically endangered ".

Swell