Idaea infirmaria
Idaea infirmaria
Idaea infirmaria is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). It is a typical Mediterranean Art
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 13-18 mm, exceptionally, only 10 mm. The species vary greatly in color and drawing. The basic color is light brown, brown -gray, ocher to reddish brown. The inner transverse line and the binding agent are often less pronounced, sometimes even the means binding. In contrast, the outer transverse line is always very striking. The transverse lines are dark brown, reddish to slightly colored purple. Diskalflecken are usually present, but can also almost absent. The Costalrand is increasingly dark in color towards the root. The fringes are often dark brown, almost darker than the ground color. The forehead is dark brown, the vertex ( vertices ) white, maroon collar. The palps are closely set, short and dark brown. The proboscis is relatively short and poorly developed.
Occurrence and habitat
The geographical distribution of the species is decidedly Mediterranean, ranging from the Iberian Peninsula in the west (except the north) on the south of France, the great islands of the Mediterranean, Italy, the eastern Adriatic coast, Greece with the most Greek islands to western Asia Minor. The type missing on Cyprus. In Romania, a small isolated occurrence is reported. In North Africa, the spread of Morocco in the west extends to Tunisia. Here, however, the Nominatunterart of the subspecies idaea infirmaria mitescens Scobble, 1999 is replaced.
Idaea infirmaria is extremely xerothermophil, ie she prefers to live in dry and warm habitats, such as Maquis, loose oak forests, sun-exposed south-facing slopes. In the vertical, the species occurs from sea level to about 1900 meters before, in Morocco to 2600 meters.
Phenology and life
The species is usually univoltine, that is, it is formed only one generation per year, which flies from mid-June to late July. Under favorable conditions, the first moths are also to be found at the end of May. At higher altitudes, the flight time may be extended until the end of August. Under favorable conditions, a partial second generation may form their moth fly from early September to mid-October. The moths are nocturnal and are attracted by artificial light sources.
The extremely sluggish caterpillars grow very slowly and are quite sensitive to light. In breeding, under good conditions of the development cycle can also be exceptionally "only" ' last three months. The caterpillars are polyphagous on herbaceous plants and eat fresh, wilted and dried plant material. Probably they specialize in petals and their fruit capsules. So far, the caterpillars were in the flowers of the country (Dianthus caryophyllus ) found in the fruit capsules of cistus (Cistus ) as well. The breed also succeeded with withered leaves of the ordinary dandelions and with the petals of roses ( Rosa ) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ).
System
The species was described in 1833 by Jules Pierre Rambur as Dosithoea infirmaria first time scientifically. After the species was still under Acidalia carnearia man, 1855 Acidalia Lederata Guenée, 1858, described Acidalia nigrobarbata Staudinger, 1859 and Acidalia aquitanaria Constant, 1865 which are junior synonyms. Currently, two subspecies are distinguished, which nominotypical subspecies idaea infirmaria infirmaria ( Rambur, 1833) and idaea infirmaria mitescens Scobble, 1999 ( Morocco to Tunisia)