Glacies coracina
Glacies coracina
Glacies coracina is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). The species is sometimes referred to as " White Powdered Alps tensioner " or "Nordic Alpine tensioner ".
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is about 18 to 24 millimeters. Front and hind wings vary from gray to brown to black color tints, and the differences are mainly due to the geographic occurrence. Some small whitish or yellowish points are irregularly distributed on the flanks. The midfield is darker, bounded by distinct transverse lines and shows an elongated, black Diskalfleck. On the hind wings, a black Diskalfleck in the dark midfield is also recognizable.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are short and stocky, light brown in color, have dark slashes and dark dorsal and light side stripes. The head has a light reddish brown color.
Similar Species
In Glacies noricana the drawing is indistinct and occasionally shimmers slightly greenish, while Glacies alpinata is usually darker and less contrasty drawing shows.
Distribution and habitat
The species is in northern Europe as well as the high altitudes of the mountains spread, as from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland and northern Russia to Japan. It also occurs in the British Isles, Romania and Bulgaria as well as in the Alpine countries. Glacies coracina rises to heights of 3000 meters, but is also found in Norway at sea level. Main habitat is mountainous birch forests, mountain bogs or rocky meadows.
Way of life
The moths are diurnal and fly restless in the sunshine close to the ground. They like to rest with flat wings outstretched on stones and rocks, where they are extremely well camouflaged because of their coloring. They are found in a brood from June to August. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of various plants including low of dwarf birch (Betula nana ) and black crowberry ( Empetrum nigrum). They overwinter. A second winter can be done as a doll.
Endangering
In Germany Glacies coracina comes only in a few places in front of the Bavarian Alps. The species is performed on the red list of endangered species on the early warning list.
System
The species is currently divided into seven subspecies:
- Glacies coracina bureschi Varga, 1975, Bulgaria
- Glacies coracina coracina ( Esper, 1805), Nominatunterart
- Glacies coracina dioszeghyi ( Schmidt, 1930), Hungary, subspecies status doubtful
- Glacies coracina lappona ( Wehrli, 1921)
- Glacies coracina pseudonoricana ( Wehrli, 1921)
- Glacies coracina transiens ( Wehrli, 1921)
- Glacies coracina tundranoides ( Malicky, 1966)