Eumorpha fasciatus
Eumorpha fasciatus
Eumorpha fasciatus is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ), which is common in South and North America. The species was collected in 1776 by Johann Heinrich Sulzer of the similar nature Eumorpha vitis. The assumption that the caterpillars of Eumorpha fasciatus would feed as well as that of Eumorpha vitis from grapevine family ( Vitaceae ), led to the English common name " Lesser Vine Sphinx" ( " Small Elephant Hawk-moth " ), but it turned out that their food is mainly composed of different kinds of Heusenkräuter.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths reach forewing length 44-49 mm, with a wingspan of 87-96 millimeters. See the butterflies at first glance Eumorpha vitis similar, but the top of the hind wings is significantly different. In E. fasciatus, the entire outer edge is colored red, whereas the similar style is colored red only on Analwinkel. The hind wings also have a red patch on the wing inner edge. The top of the animals is dark brownish - pink. Along the Costa loader forewing runs a lighter colored tie. The front wings have also along the rest of the wing veins fine, whitish - pink stripes. The type shows in terms of their coloration extremely low variability.
The caterpillars, however, are those with the most color morphs among the enthusiasts in North America. The ranges in color from various shades of green to yellow to several shades of red but the caterpillars can also be multi-colored. It is assumed that the staining with the eaten food plants is associated.
The doll is very dark reddish- brown in color and matte. Your squat cremaster is rough and has a medium- long, hook-shaped tip.
Occurrence
The species is native of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru through Mexico and Central America to North America. There, they are found in the coastal areas of North and South Carolina, south to Florida and westward to Texas. Inland, you can find them along the Mississippi to at least Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Terre Haute, Indiana. Evidence from Arizona and California are hoaxes. Even in the Caribbean, the species is widespread. Migratory moths can be detected up to Nova Scotia, Ontario, New York City and Michigan beyond.
Be colonized watercourses and wetlands with heavy vegetation of Heusenkräutern ( Ludwigia ).
Way of life
The moths fly artificial light sources very rarely, but can often nectar sources, such as hooks lily ( Crinum ), Pink Catharanthe ( Catharanthus roseus), petunia ( Petunia ) or Exceptional soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis) are observed.
Flight times and caterpillars
In the tropics, the type occurs continuously in successive generations, to the north flying the type with at least two generations, for example, in South Carolina by the end of May to July and from late August to October. In Louisiana, the animals fly from May to October, suggesting that more than two generations are formed.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on various types of Heusenkräuter ( Ludwigia ) and are for example repens Ludwigia peruviana detected at, Ludwigia octovalvis, Ludwigia leptocarpa, Ludwigia decurrens and Ludwigia. Some Heusenkräuter not be eaten. The caterpillars will feed on other evening primrose family ( Onagraceae ).
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on the underside of the leaves of the food plants. The caterpillars are solitary and sit on the midrib on the underside of leaves. They are often parasitized by wasps of the genus Cotesia brackish. Pupation takes place in a hole in the ground several inches deep in the soil. The verpuppungsbereite bead must often great distances to find a suitable place to pupate, as the food plants often grow in standing water. The caterpillars climb from the plant and swim to shore. The doll winds up to the surface before the butterfly emerging.