Idaea mancipiata
Idaea mancipiata
Idaea mancipiata is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ). We distinguish the two subspecies idaea manciapiata manciapiata and idaea manciapiata repagulata.
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 15 to 20 millimeters in the first generation of a year, and 14 to 16 millimeters in the second generation. The broad wings at the rear vane pair of hem is rounded. The basic color is sallow sand-colored in the nominate form and has a brownish coating which is particularly more pronounced in populations in central Spain. The subspecies I. m. repagulata has a gleaming white wing ground color only slightly shimmering sand color. The transverse lines of the wings drawings are very fine and slightly convex. In the nominate they are brown, while the other subspecies gray. In the distal region, the basic color is well marked. The black-colored Diskalflecke are always bounded pronounced and sharp.
The forehead ( frons ) is dark brown and the adjoining vertex is white or sand color. The transition region between the head ( occiput ) and the chest (thorax ) is normally slightly darker. The antennae of the males are staffed with very long cilia.
The rails (tibia ) of the rear pair of legs are slender and curved in males. They also have a whitish tuft, which does not cover the shorter tarsi.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Idaea mancipiata is widespread in Europe and western Asia, but the distribution areas are not contiguous. While the nominate race in southern France and Spain and spread is very rare, the subspecies I. m. repagulata from the Crimea up to the Urals, as well as from northern Iran spread to the Caucasus. The distribution areas usually extend along the respective coasts, or oases in northern Iran. The height profile of the nominate ranges generally from 0 m to 300 m and only in exceptional cases up to 1500 m. In the east occurring subspecies, however, are common heights up to 1500 m.
Phenology and life
Idaea mancipiata is bivoltin, that is to say, two generations per year formed. The moths of the first generation fly from beginning mid-May to late June. The second generation flies from early August to late October. To move with the times and it is still not clear whether the species is univoltine here at higher altitudes.
System
The species was described by Otto Staudinger 1871 Acidalia mancipiata first nomenclaturally valid.