Feathered Thorn
Spring Probe - autumn release ( Colotois pennaria )
The spring - fall sensor tensioner ( Colotois pennaria ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). It is a relatively large moths whose German species name goes back to the heavily feathered antennae of the males and the late appearance of the species in the year. Another name for the species is hair back tensioner. This is due to the strong pubescence of the tensioner body. Another species name is spring compressor based on the antennae of the males.
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
The wingspan is 45-50 mm. The males are usually larger than the females. The forewings of this type are usually brown, which vary in color greatly in different individuals. The possibilities range from light gray brown to reddish brown. On the fore wings there are two darker transverse lines, of which the lower is almost straight. On the lighter hind wings there is a transverse line, which is called on the forewings much brighter and is partially to recognize in some individuals any more. On the fore wings there are two dark spots, of which the lower usually have a bright nucleus. On the hind wings there is ever a dark spot. The animals are very hairy. This is an adaptation to the late flight time of the moth, which extends to the end of November. In addition, the hair a little protection from the echolocation by bats, since the hair absorbs a portion of the ultrasonic calls and the returning echo is attenuated. The antennae of the males are heavily feathered. The antennae of the females are not feathered.
The beads reach a length of up to 50 millimeters. The coloration varies from different shades of gray, brown or Rotbrauntönen. Together, the caterpillar color variance despite two red back warts on the penultimate abdominal segment (segment 12). The caterpillars are hairless. The head is reddish brown and slightly patterned. Even structurally similar to their skin the bark. So camouflaged caterpillars are about to discover on the branches of their food plants look very closely.
Subspecies
- Colotois pennaria pennaria (Linnaeus, 1761 )
- Colotois pennaria paupera Hausmann, 1995 endemic to Cyprus.
Synonyms
- Himera pennaria
Flight times and caterpillars
The nocturnal animals fly in a generation in the period from September to November, the caterpillars can be encountered by May to July. The males begin shortly after dark with the search for a female and are often until well after midnight on the go. They are attracted to light. The females usually sit motionless and well camouflaged on tree trunks and wait for the arrival of a male.
Larval development
The eggs are laid in the autumn in groups on the branches of fodder plants and overwinter. From these, the caterpillars hatch in May. The caterpillars of the spring probe autumn tensioner feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs. As forage plants for the caterpillars serve, among other maples, apples, birch, pear, beech, chestnut, oak, ash, hornbeam, haws, poplars, Prunus, elm, Snowball, willow, hawthorn, witch hazel. Due to a small number of individuals feeding damage are comparably small. During the day, the caterpillars sit motionless on the branches and their food plants are not as easily perceived by their predators as prey because of their mimicry. They feed mainly at night and rest during the day on the food plant. In July, the caterpillars pupate in the ground.
Habitat
As the caterpillars of the spring probe autumn release feed on various deciduous trees, they can be found in habitats such as deciduous and mixed forests, parks and large gardens.
Dissemination
The species is widespread throughout Europe and the Middle East, but is only sporadically found in the rule.