Biology
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
The four-spotted moth is mainly single-brooded (4), but often produces a second brood within its more southerly colonies (6). Adults fly in sunshine and at night from mid-May to mid- August, but the precise time of emergence depends on the climate (2). Eggs are deposited singly on the stems or flower buds of the foodplant during June. Caterpillars can be found at night on the foodplant in July and August, and occasionally later in the year. The overwintering stage is the pupa (2), which develops in September under the ground protected by a tough cocoon (4).
Conservation
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
This moth is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) priority species, and as such a Species Action Plan has been produced to guide conservation action. This plan aims to maintain and enhance all current populations and return self-sustaining populations to 10 sites within the historic range by the year 2010 (1). The latter proposal may be met through a series of reintroductions (1). Other measures which have been suggested to help the species include extending the area of suitable habitat available at current sites and attempting to link up fragmented patches of habitat (1).
Description
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
The common name of the Four-spotted moth refers to the white spots on the fore- and hindwings, which stand out in stark contrast to the dark brown background colour (5). The edges of the wings have white flecks (3). The caterpillar, which may reach 3.5 cm in length, is pale reddish-ochre in colour and has two dark bands on the back and a white band along both sides (4).
Habitat
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
Inhabits grasslands, and is usually found on south-facing slopes with patches of bare ground. It requires a source of the larval foodplant field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) (1).
Range
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
Since the 1930s, this species has undergone a severe decline. It was once quite common and widespread throughout England, south of Norfolk and Somerset. In recent years however, it has been found in just 11 counties and is now recorded regularly from just three (6). Elsewhere it is known throughout Europe (with the exception of Ireland and Norway), and reaches Siberia and Morocco (1).
Status
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
Classified as Vulnerable in Great Britain (1).
Threats
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por Arkive
Much suitable habitat has been lost to development or changes in farming practices. On remaining habitat, unsuitable management practices have excluded the vulnerable Four-spotted moth (1).
Tyta
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por wikipedia EN
Tyta luctuosa is a noctuid ("owlet") moth. Its common names include four-spotted moth and field bindweed moth. It is the only member of the genus Tyta, which belongs to the Metoponiinae subfamily. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. The genus was erected by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820.
This moth is native to much of the Palearctic - most of Europe east to the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and from Siberia to China and south to North Africa. The adult moth is about eleven millimeters long and dark brown with one large white spot on each of its four wings.
Technical description and variation
Its forewings are purplish fuscous, becoming paler, and more brownish, towards the termen, and sometimes at the extreme base; the lines black, fine; the inner oblique, thrice waved; the outer excurved above middle, incurved below; subterminal line pale, preceded by a darker shade; fringe white with a dark patch below middle; an abbreviated white band from costa to vein 3 beyond cell, sometimes tinged with tannish peach; hindwing with a white median band of varying width; in ab. angustifascia ab. nov. this band is greatly restricted and sometimes interrupted; the examples in which the white costal blotch of forewing is tinged with flesh colour constitute the ab. ochracea Tutt. The larvae are grey, sometimes reddish grey and darker at the sides; hues pale with dark edges somewhat interrupted; spiracular line dark brown, pale edge; beneath; subspiracular reddish brown; face ochreous grey with rows of small dark dots. The first two pairs of prolegs are shorter than usual.[3]
Biology
Two adult generations emerge each year, one in late spring and one in summer. In warm areas there is often a third generation. The female lays about 400 to 500 eggs. The larva is a brown caterpillar. The larva is the destructive stage. It eats leaves and flowers, especially new buds. This is the desired effect of this moth when it is used as an agent of biological pest control against field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). It was first introduced into the United States in the 1980s to attack this agricultural weed, which is its main food plant.
References
-
^ Newman, Edward (1868). "The Life-history of Dysthymia luctuosa". The Entomologist. 4: 174 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
-
^ Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul (5 November 2004). "Dysthymia Newman, 1868". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
-
^ Warren. W. in Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Coombs, E. M., et al., Eds. (2004). Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press, 155.
- licença
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- direitos autorais
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Tyta: Brief Summary
(
Inglês
)
fornecido por wikipedia EN
Tyta luctuosa is a noctuid ("owlet") moth. Its common names include four-spotted moth and field bindweed moth. It is the only member of the genus Tyta, which belongs to the Metoponiinae subfamily. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775. The genus was erected by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820.
Caterpillar
This moth is native to much of the Palearctic - most of Europe east to the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and from Siberia to China and south to North Africa. The adult moth is about eleven millimeters long and dark brown with one large white spot on each of its four wings.
- licença
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- direitos autorais
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Caterpillar 