Euphydryas phaeton
Euphydryas phaeton
Euphydryas phaeton is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ). Since 1973, the species is listed as state insect of the U.S. state of Maryland on the list of state insects of the states in the United States. Although not officially founded, it is assumed that Euphydryas phaeton was chosen because of its coloring, as both the coat of arms of the State of Maryland, as well as the largest city in this state, Baltimore, and the family coat of arms of George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, the colors Black and yellow-orange or golden yellow included. The species is often referred to as " Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly" in English usage.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 51-64 mm. Front and rear wings show on the top drawing similar elements. The basic color is black to black-brown, respectively. The outer edge portion is formed as a binding from red-orange to yellow- orange spots. Before that there are two or three whitish dot rows. In the middle is a large and a smaller orange spot stand out. The wing undersides show a similar pattern to the upper sides, however, are provided with much more large white dots.
Egg, caterpillar, pupa
The egg is initially yellow and, after a few days, an orange color.
Full-grown caterpillars have an orange to brownish color. They are curled on each segment with dark transverse lines and fitted on the entire body length with black, highly branched thorns.
The doll is equipped cream color and many black and some pink spots.
Distribution and occurrence
The range of the species extends across the southeast of Canada and the northeastern states of the USA and the Ozark Plateau. Euphydryas phaeton preferably colonized wet meadows, but was found in the southwestern occurrence areas in dry regions.
Way of life
The moths fly in one generation, regionally but at different time periods; in Nova Scotia from June to end of August, in Ottawa from mid-June to mid-July and in the southern regions from mid-May to June. You like to suck on flowers, but avoid those of shield Flowers ( Celone ). The caterpillars live in the Youth in spun from silk threads nests at the top of the food plants. For winter they create a new nest near the ground. They feed on a variety of plants, for example, of figwort family ( Scrophulariaceae ), valerian plants ( Valerianoideae ) Geißblattgewächsen ( Caprifoliaceae ), plantain family ( Plantaginaceae ) and olive family ( Oleaceae ). MD Bowers found that the caterpillars to predators are obviously toxic as they are, for example, the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata ) is not eaten.
Subspecies
In addition to the nominate Euphydryas phaeton phaeton following subspecies are listed below:
- Euphydryas phaeton borealis Chermock, 1940
- Euphydryas phaeton ozarkae Masters 1968
- Euphydryas phaeton streckeri Ellsworth, 1902
- Euphydryas phaeton superba Strecker, 1878