Marumba quercus
Oak moth ( Marumba quercus )
The oak moth ( Marumba quercus ) is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food of the caterpillars
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 85 to 100 millimeters, with the females they can be up to 125 millimeters. The coloration is very variable: the color of the forewings varies from light ocher to dark gray-brown. The midfield is framed by curving brown transverse lines, which are broad dark on the opposite sides of the Costalrand. An additional two incomplete transverse lines are located in the root and in Saumfeld; they are most Costalrand most clearly and lose down the trailing edge. In Tornus ( internal angle ) sits a dark brown point next to it, at the inner edge of the wing, a well -colored, elongated spot. The outer edge is wavy irregular and reminiscent of the outline of oak leaves. The hind wings are brownish yellow with a limited indistinct, reddish-brown stain that runs from the base to the middle, and a dark brown Postdiskalbinde, but which is well developed only on Tornus and loses itself towards the front edge. Colors of nature, there are colored violet brown, among other shades of gray, brown with whitish-yellow transverse bands, without transverse bars or on the rear wing base.
The caterpillars are 65 to 80 millimeters long. They are colored blue green or light blue, have fine, whitish-yellow tubercles and pale yellowish on the sides seven, diagonally from bottom to top -rear stripes, of which the second is colored significantly weaker than the rest. The Analhorn is bluish to greenish.
Synonyms
- Sphinx denisii Fuessly, 1779
- Marumba mesopotamica O. Bang -Haas, 1938
- Marumba Shirazi O. Bang -Haas, 1938
Occurrence
The species occurs mainly in the Mediterranean region east to Iran before. The northern distribution limit runs through Hungary and Lower Austria and also includes the southern Alpine valleys with. In the hot regions in Spain, the type reaches heights of 1,500 meters. They are found in sparse oak forests, mostly in low population densities. Dry, sun-drenched and young forests on slopes, where the soil is loose, are preferred.
Way of life
The moths have only a vestigial proboscis and can therefore take no food. During the day they rest in the foliage of trees and imitate dead leaves. By night, they can be attracted by light sources.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in the northern parts of their range in one generation from June to September, in the south they fly in two generations in May and June and in August and September.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on oak (Quercus ), such as from English oak (Quercus robur), holm oak (Quercus ilex) and cork oak ( Quercus suber), but prefer species with dry leaves.
Development
The females lay about 100 eggs singly on the underside of solitary oak in sunny locations. The oval eggs are 3.5 x 3 mm in size and pale green. Shortly before hatching, you can see the first light yellowish caterpillar well through the eggshell. The caterpillar, which already measures about eight to twelve millimeters after hatching eats, if at all, only the egg shell and then looks for a suitable place for the first molt. For this purpose, it spins tightly to the underside of leaves, but moults after about three days. The Analhorn is initially oversized large and has a yellowish base, otherwise an orange color. The top is stained a little darker. Only after the molt they get gradually their green color. After a further six weeks, the animals are fully grown and turn reddish - brown before pupation. Then you climb at night or in the morning hours on the ground. Pupation takes place at least ten inches deep instead of in the ground.