Libythea celtis
Zürgelbaumfalter ( Libythea celtis )
The Zürgelbaumfalter ( Libythea celtis ), sometimes also called nettle tree - snout moth is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Nymphalidae ( Nymphalidae ) and the subfamily of snout moths ( Libytheinae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Description
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 34 to 48 millimeters. Striking is the jagged outer edge of the wing. The basic color of all wings is brownish. They are equipped with large orange spots. On the forewing upper side there are a few white spots. The forewing underside shows a similar color pattern as the front, but a bit blurry. The hind wing underside is usually mottled light brown or gray-brown.
For the butterflies are typically very long, hairy palps, stretched forward emanating from the head and like a snout or together with the sensors like the stalk of a leaf look. At rest, with wings folded so they resemble a withered leaf. The colorful front wings are hidden behind the hind wings. Through this camouflage, they are well protected from predators.
Egg
The eggs have an oval shape, a pale green color, are covered with ribs and individually placed in the vicinity of the buds of food plants.
Caterpillar
Adults caterpillars are cylindrical, have a green or brownish ground color, a bright line of the back, light side stripes, black dashes and dots are dark on the entire body surface, and covered with short velvety.
Doll
The Stürzpuppe is colored green or brown, indicating the elytra bright edges.
Similar Species
A certain similarity to Libytheana carinenta, but more white spots on the forewing has top. Since this type also occurs only in North, Central and South America, there is no geographical overlap with the Zürgelbaumfalter.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Zürgelbaumfalters includes North Africa, southern Europe and extends eastward through southern Asia to China and Japan. It also comes in the Pyrenees before us occurs in Europe 400-1500 meters above sea level; stray animals are found but up to 2300 meters above sea level. The Zürgelbaumfalter is not native to Germany. Two older finds from Baden- Württemberg the years 1908 and 1921 were due to a railroad track. It is assumed that they were introduced by rail. The species prefers to live in wooded areas, however, has been demonstrated in open, bushy landscapes.
Way of life
The moths fly from June to August, the winter and reappear from March to May of the following year. To accommodate liquid and minerals they like to suck on moist soil areas where they sometimes arrive in large numbers. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the European Zürgelbaums (Celtis australis).
Others
The Hungarian Post issued a stamp showing the Zürgelbaumfalter.