Hyles sammuti
Hyles sammuti is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). He is survived by Kitching & Cadiou (2000) considered a separate species, Pittaway, however, sees him as a subspecies of Hyles tithymali, since the larvae have large similarities with Hyles tithymali mauretanica. Due to mtDNA studies, it is considered likely that Hyles sammuti to a certain degree with spurge enthusiasts ( Hyles euphorbiae ) hybridized fly as vagrants in its range.
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 63-75 millimeters. You have the typical for the genus Hyles coloration and resemble some individuals from Hyles tithymali mauretanica from Morocco.
The eggs are those of Hyles tithymali similar and are also small, blue-green and have a very hard shell. The caterpillars are 70 to 80 millimeters long. Like the butterflies they look very similar in all stages those of Hyles tithymali mauretanica similar in their behavior but those of H. t. tithymali. The doll is slightly smaller than that of H. t. tithymali, but otherwise indistinguishable from this.
Occurrence
The distribution of the species is limited to the main island of Malta, Gozo, it is not proven. There are, however, very similar, closely related populations in Sicily and southern Italy, whose taxonomic position is still unclear. The animals inhabit dry, rocky slopes with strong spurge growth.
Development
The moths fly in several generations from February to October. In years of low rainfall, only one generation in autumn are formed. In most years occur two broods from April to May and September to October on. Eggs are laid in groups on sprouting leaf tips of the food plants. In wet years the caterpillars from March to December occur, but are usually from September to December most commonly found. They feed on Euphorbia spinosa, Euphorbia Euphorbia pinea and dendroides. The pupa overwinters; it may also happen that it is over several years. The parasitic wasp Peltocarus gyrus is shown as a parasitoid of the species.