Plemyria rubiginata
Milk White Bindenpanner ( Plemyria rubiginata )
The milk white bandages tensioner ( Plemyria rubiginata ), also known as milk White blade tensioner, 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 from 22 to 28 millimeters. The ground color of the forewing is mostly milky white. The root field is colored light brown to black-brown. With the same color, a large spot stresses near the center of the front edge. The intensity and refinement of this spot may vary. In the lower middle small black spots are present in some specimens. From the very dark apex region runs a gray-brown fabric tape along the outer edge of the fore wings, which usually continues on the hind wings in a weakened form. In the seam band a thin white wavy line is visible. Front and rear wings each show a black Diskalfleck, which can be very indistinct at times.
Caterpillar
Adults caterpillars are greenish. On the back and on the sides they have several yellow lines and stripes. At the end of the body there are two short Analspitzen.
Doll
The doll is bright green. Shortly before the moths emerged shimmering dark drawing elements of the fore wings by the wing sheaths.
Similar Species
Comparable black, brown and white drawing elements especially on the front wings also show the moths of the following types:
- Melanthia alaudaria is smaller and also differs in significant white spikes that protrude into the very dark hem.
- The Petrel ( Melanthia procellata ) can be seen by an almost square white spot in the dark hem band.
- The blackberry leaf tensioner ( Catarhoe albicillata ) lacks the large middle spot on the forewings. The same applies to the brown -banded blade tensioner ( Catarhoe cuculata ) and the spindle tree Harlequin ( Ligdia adustata ). The latter always also shows a white box at the front wing tip.
Geographical distribution and occurrence
The distribution area of the milk white blade tensioner extends through western and central Europe, including the British Isles and on through the temperate zone to East Asia. In Scotland he is by ssp. Plemyria rubiginata plumbata represented. In the Alps it still occurs at an altitude of 1500 meters. The species prefers inhabited rear areas, riparian forests, orchards and gardens.
Way of life
The crepuscular and nocturnal moths fly from May to September. During the day, they can be easily disturbed from vegetation. At night they visit and artificial light sources. The caterpillars feed mainly on the leaves of cultivated apple (Malus domestica), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), black cherry ( Prunus padus ) and alder species ( Alnus ).
Endangering
The milk white bandages tensioner is out in Germany on the Red List of Threatened Species as not at risk.