Idaea rusticata
Southern dwarf tensioner ( idaea rusticata )
The Southern Dwarf tensioner ( rusticata idaea ), also Brownbanded rear backrest Small tensioner, Brownbanded hedges small clamps, Brownbanded rear tensioner or Brownish White Small clamp is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
Features
The moths have a wingspan of 14-20 millimeters; the second generation is much smaller and often reaches only 11 mm wingspan. The ground color is whitish, sometimes with a slight brownish tone. The drawing is on the front wing from the dark-brown to red-brown midfield that runs between the inner and outer cross- line from the front to the back edge. The limitations of this field and the inner and outer transverse line are wavy or jagged, and show some cases larger bulges towards the outer edge. Outer and inner transverse line are not parallel. The base of the front edge is darkened brown, often the entire inner root field dark brown. The white wave line is created inside gray; also the field between wavy and irregular hem is often obscured gray. In some specimens black Saumpunkte are formed. On the hind wings the midfield is light gray, the transverse lines are dark gray. The wavy line is formed similarly to the forewings. The black Diskalflecke are always clearly marked. On the fore wings are mostly point-like and not very good to see in the dark midfield, on the other hand they cancel the bright hind wings, where they are mostly constructed form of lines, the clearer it from.
The egg is relatively small and oval. The caterpillar is comparatively short, is the rear end a little thinner and shows distinct constrictions. It is gray-brown or brown and has a narrow, bright line of the back. Occasionally, a faint diamond drawing is formed on the posterior five segments. The belly is light colored. The head is relatively small and black in color. The pupa is light brown and has a shiny surface. The rear end is reddish in color.
Similar Species
The Southern Dwarf tensioner is very similar idaea mustelata ( Gumppenberg, 1892) and is difficult to distinguish from this species. However, there is no proven overlaps in the areas of distribution, so that the two species can be reliably determined based on the locality. Only in the French region of Languedoc -Roussillon to the distribution areas are very close. Here a narrow overlap zone would be conceivable. In idaea mustelata is the dark middle to the inner edge of the forewing very narrow rapidly and forms just before the inner edge of a stud, that ends before the actual inner edge. When Southern dwarf Spanner the midfield against it achieved a considerable width of the inner edge of the forewing. The front wing is at idaea rusticata slightly wider.
Geographical distribution and habitat
The Southern Dwarf tensioner comes in Western Europe ( France, southern England, Belgium, the Netherlands), in the Southern Alps, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, in the southern part of Slovakia and large parts of the Balkan peninsula. In Germany, the species occurs in Bavaria, Thuringia and Brandenburg, especially in the west and south (Baden- Württemberg, Rhineland -Palatinate, Saarland, Hesse, North Rhine- Westphalia) and in some isolated occurrences. In the Czech Republic, Poland and Belarus, the Southern Dwarf tensioner has been detected only in a few small areas. From the Balkans to the occurrence moves on through Ukraine, South Russia, Asia Minor, the Caucasus region and from there through northern Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan to the Central Asian mountains to Mongolia. Isolated deposits are found in eastern Algeria and Israel.
The species is xerothermophil, ie it is limited to dry warm locations. It occurs on warm, sun-exposed roadsides, embankments, railway embankments, sand and gravel pits, dry grasslands, abandoned fields and gardens, and on south-facing slopes of Kalkabbrüchen and bushy southern slopes. They were caught in Baden- Württemberg also rather near villages. In Central Europe it is from 0 to about 400 meters above sea level before. In the Southern Alps and in southern Europe it rises to 1200 meters. In Asia Minor and Central Asia, it usually occurs in the height level from 700 to 2000 meters.
Phenology and life
The Southern Dwarf tensioner is usually univoltine, ie it is formed only one generation per year. The moths fly from mid-June to mid-August, sometimes as early as late May. In southern Europe, and occasionally in southern Germany, a second generation can be formed under favorable circumstances, the moths fly from mid-July to early October. In breeding resulted in a cycle of about 60 days. The moths are nocturnal and are attracted by artificial light sources. They also come to the bait. During the day they sit on leaves to compost piles and on fences. round. You can not rouse itself. There is debate in the literature whether the butterflies do not migrate over shorter distances.
The caterpillars live on wither or dry plant parts. In Baden- Württemberg the caterpillar was found on fallen, dry leaves of virgin vine ( Parthenocissus sp.). In England, the caterpillars have been ( saxatile Alyssum ) in the fallen leaves of the rock - stone herb proven and in Baden- Württemberg, the dissemination of the Southern Dwarf tensioner largely reflected in the locations of the closely related with the rock alyssum gray cress ( Berteroa incana ). Therefore, this species is regarded as a possible caterpillars food plant. In the literature, further called: Common Ivy ( Hedera helix), Common Clematis (Clematis vitalba ) Goldulme (Ulmus carpinifolia ) and old herbs ( Senecio ). Caterpillars were also found among Rubus and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). In breeding, the following plant species were fed: Glass herbs ( Parietaria ), Common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), clover ( Trifolium ), smartweed ( Polygonum aviculare ) and the petals of anise (Pimpinella anisum ). The caterpillars are relatively sluggish and hibernate. They pupate under leaf litter and moss. The emergence of a butterfly from Moss was even observed directly.
System
The species was introduced in 1775 by Michael Denis Johann Ignaz and Schiffermueller first time in the scientific literature. The name was emended in 1847 by Herrich - Schäffer rusticaria. However, this correction was after the IRZN unjustified, and rusticaria Herrich -Schäffer, 1847 is thus a younger, more objective synonym of rusticata Denis & Schiffer Müller, 1775. Acidalia vulpinaria Herrich -Schäffer, 1852 idaea vulpinaria atrosignata Lempke, 1967, two more synonyms of idaea rusticata. The synonymy is also suspected for the name Phalaena humeralis Fourcroy, 1785 and Phalaena Gemetra humeralis Villers, 1789, the syntypes are so far not been re-examined.
Idaea vulpinaria Herrich -Schäffer, 1852 was considered until recently by many authors as a distinct species. As a contrast to idaea rusticata the presence of two spurs was specified on the hind legs. This absence in idaea rusticata completely. It appears, however, that occasionally this feature is also missing in the " vulpinaria " populations. In contrast, spurs or spur similar anomalies also occur in typical " rusticata " populations occasionally. Already Forster and Welfare ( 1973 ) suggested that it is one and the same type at idaea rusticata and idaea vulpinaria. Hausmann ( 2004) united the two " types " then formally.
Idaea mustelata ( Gumppenberg, 1892) was originally described as a distinct species. Later it was viewed only as a subspecies of the Southern Dwarf tensioner. Axel Hausmann 2004 established the autonomy of this kind again. The other, previously accepted subspecies idaea vulpinaria atrosignata Lempke, 1967, however, was reunited with the man of the house nominotypischen taxon.
Endangering
The threat of the species is due to the very limited distribution in Germany is difficult to assess (eg in Thuringia and Saxony -Anhalt). It is valid in Bavaria to be extinct, since there was secure evidence that she was formerly home in Bavaria. In Baden- Württemberg it is classified as endangered ( category 2) and Rhineland -Palatinate as endangered ( category 3). Only in Brandenburg, the resources are not endangered. The type is ( " potentially endangered " ) in category 4 classified, ie that a hazard could result in further destruction of habitats in the future.