Melanthia alaudaria
Melanthia alaudaria
Melanthia alaudaria is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the tensioner ( Geometridae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the butterfly is 18 to 24 mm. The ground color of the forewings is creamy white to bright white. Territory manner also occur darker colored specimens. The root field is colored distinctively black brown. Suited to a large stain stresses near the center of the front edge. From Apex runs a broad dark fabric tape along the forewing outer margin, which continues on the hind wings. It is a thin white wavy line visible. Specific type are single or a w- shaped white spikes that protrude into the dark Saumfelder. Front and rear wings each show a black Diskalfleck.
Caterpillar
Adults caterpillars are greenish. On the back and on the sides they have several yellow lines and stripes. The segment cuts are yellowish.
Doll
The doll is equipped with light brown and greenish leaf sheaths. The cremaster is colored green or rusty brown, is big and wide and triangular flattened and provided with two close together bristles. They are bent at the top. In addition, located on either side of another four finer bristles that are rolled up at the top.
Similar Species
Similar black and white drawing elements in particular on the fore wings also show the moths of petrel ( Melanthia procellata ), the blackberry blade tensioner ( Mesoleuca albicillata ), the milk white bandages tensioner ( Plemyria rubiginata ), the spindle tree - Harlequin ( Ligdia adustata ) and the brown -banded blade tensioner ( Catarhoe cuculata ). However, all the above species are larger and they lack the white incision in the dark Saumbereiche the forewing. In addition, the dark fringe is formed on the hind wings often weaker.
Geographical distribution and occurrence
Melanthia alaudaria is distributed locally in Central Europe. In the Eastern Alps it is regional basis to find numerous and get there before at a height of 1800 meters. The species prefers inhabited alpine forest regions.
Way of life
The moths fly from late May to early July. During the day, they are sometimes observed in the partial shade of bushes. They usually sit with just a spread - wing posture in which the drawing of the fore wings with the drawing of the rear wing gives an uninterrupted, seamless whole. At dusk they appear sometimes to the mating flight over the damp grass courts. At night, they visit sometimes also artificial light sources. The caterpillars live in July and August and feed on the leaves of Clematis species (Clematis ). They pupate in a slight cocoon on the ground. The species overwinters as a pupa.
Endangering
Melanthia alaudaria occurs in Germany only in Bavaria and is out on the red list of threatened species as not at risk.