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*''Sphinx peucedani'' <small>Esper, 1780</small>
*''Sphinx peucedani'' <small>Esper, 1780</small>
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'''''Zygaena ephialtes''''' is day flying species of burnet moth found in Europe. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.5252/z2015n1a6|title=The butterfly fauna of the Italian Maritime Alps: results of the EDIT project|website=BioOne|doi=10.5252/z2015n1a6|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> It is typically found in xeric habitats, and populations have been recently decreasing<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266205205_Habitat_requirements_of_conspicuous_burnet_moth_Zygaena_ephialtes_Linnaeus_1767_Lepidoptera_Zygaenidae|title=Habitat requirements of conspicuous burnet moth Zygaena ephialtes (Linnaeus, 1767; Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) (PDF Download Available)|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref>. It also exhibits Mullerian mimicry with other species, like ''Amata phegea.'' <ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Sbordoni|first=V.|last2=Bullini|first2=L.|last3=Scarpelli|first3=G.|last4=Forestiero|first4=S.|last5=Rampini|first5=M.|date=1979-02-01|title=Mimicry in the burnet moth Zygaena ephialtes: population studies and evidence of a Batesian—Müllerian situation|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1979.tb00563.x/abstract|journal=Ecological Entomology|language=en|volume=4|issue=1|pages=83–93|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2311.1979.tb00563.x|issn=1365-2311}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4757-0432-7_11|title=Ecological Genetics and Evolution|last=Turner|first=J. R. G.|date=1971|publisher=Springer, Boston, MA|isbn=9781475704341|pages=224–260|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4757-0432-7_11}}</ref>
'''''Zygaena ephialtes''''' is a [[species]] of [[moth]] in the family [[Zygaenidae]]. There is no common name in English, but in [[Italy]] is generally called the ''prete'' (priest). It was originally [[species description|described]] by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in 1767.


==Distribution==
==Description ==
''Z.ephialtes'' typically fly during the day. Adult butterfly flight is often characterized as slow. As characteristic of Zygaenidae moths, they have prominent spots on their wings, which alerts predators that they contain toxins. <ref name=":0" />
This species can be found in most of Europe, except [[Ireland]], [[Great Britain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Portugal]], [[Fennoscandia]], [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]] and [[Latvia]].<ref>[http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=440470 Fauna Europaea]</ref><ref name=funet>{{cite web |first=Markku |last=Savela |url=http://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/zygaenoidea/zygaenidae/zygaeninae/zygaena/#ephialtes |title=''Zygaena ephialtes'' (Linnaeus, 1767) |website=Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms |accessdate=November 1, 2017}}</ref>

==Range==
This family of moths is spead throughout most of Europe, ranging from Spain to the Ural Mountains. It is not found in the British Isles, northern Europe, or certain islands in the Mediterranean. <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />


==Habitat==
==Habitat==
A study was done by Jakub Horak that focused on populations in the Czech Republic. <ref name=":1" /> Many previously unknown habitat preferences of ''Z.ephialtes'' were found. This species cannot survive in forested areas or areas with a closed canopy. ''Z.ephialtes'' prefer xeric conditions, and were rarely found in more humid areas. The two times they were found in non-exeric areas, the areas were previously xeric sites that were abandoned. The xeric areas that were studied also had many species that are specifically associated with xeric environments, referred to as xeric specialists. Some of these species include ''Phengaris arion'', ''Psophus stridulus, Polyommatus coridon, Polyommatus daphnis, Plebjus argus, and Zygaena carniolica.'' This study showed that ''Z.ephialtes'' is an important part of xeric habitats. <ref name=":1" />
The moths are found preferentially where the food plants of the caterpillars occur in larger stocks, such as railway embankments and roadsides, and in any case only on limestone soils, [[grassland]]s and sparse forests. Warm, dry areas and sunny slopes are also preferred.


==Description==
==Behavior==
''Zygaena ephialtes'' has a [[wingspan]] reaching {{convert|35|-|40|mm}}. The forewings are dark blue, with five or six spots very variable in color, as they may be red, yellow or white. Usually these spots are red, while the ring segment (belt) on the abdomen may be yellow or red. The hindwings are red, yellow or completely black and have a delicate, black outer edge.


=== Migration ===
The caterpillars are about 22 millimeters long. They have a greenish-yellow basic color and carry longitudinal lines of black dots and square patches. Eggs are pale green, while pupa are yellow brown.
Because of the slower nature of the adult butterflies’ movement, a typical butterfly’s range was thought to be on the smaller side. However, after observing certain populations in the Czech Republic, it was found that this species was found during quick flying events over longer distances. <ref name=":1" />


==Life Cycle==
''Zygaena ephialtes'' is unpalatable to birds. ''[[Amata phegea]]'' imitates its appearance ([[Müllerian mimicry]]). <ref>[[Richard Dawkins]] (1982) [https://books.google.it/books?id=zH8eDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=amata+phegea+mimicry&source=bl&ots=a90PRykN2t&sig=dSFGAxvqfIzVtgHBTjlYf-4YSqY&hl=it&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj348jnrbXRAhUB4oMKHaTfDLYQ6AEITjAG#v=onepage&q=amata%20phegea%20mimicry&f=false ''The Extended Phenotype: The Long Reach of the Gene'']</ref> Both moths are examples of [[aposematism]].


==Polymorphism==
=== Eggs ===
The eggs are pale yellow in appearance. They are laid in a single layer and in many batches. <ref name=":1" />
This moth is a [[Polymorphism (biology)|polymorphic]] species having different mimetic forms.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of insects|year=2009|publisher=Elsevier/Academic Press |location=Amsterdam |isbn=0123741440 |pages=637 |edition=2nd |editor=Vincent H. Resh, Ring T. Cardé}}</ref> There is an ephialtoid form similar in coloration to the genus ''[[Amata (moth)|Amata]]'' of tiger moths (''[[Arctiidae]]'') (see ''[[Amata phegea]]''). They are characterized by white spots on the upper wing surface and the wear a yellow ring segment. In contrast, the peucedanoid form is similar to the six-spot burnet (''[[Zygaena filipendulae]]''). They have five or six red spots on the upper wing surface and have a red body ring.
[[File:Zygaena ephialtes - pupa 2 (HS).JPG|thumb|160px|right|Cocoon]]


=== Caterpillars ===
These features are genetically fixed. The populations and subspecies occur on these [[allelic]] combinations in different proportions. The dominant alleles are peucedanoid and dominate in the ephialtoid form.
Caterpillars appear yellow with small black portions. <ref name=":1" />


==Behavior==
=== Pupae ===
Pupae appear brown and are typically found on the stems of various types of grasses. <ref name=":1" />
The moths fly in one generation from early July to August. The caterpillars can be found in September and after hibernation until June of the next year. The females lay their eggs on the food plants of the caterpillars. In most cases, the caterpillar overwinters several times until it finally pupates in a long, silver-white web on stems or shrubs.


=== Adults ===
The [[larva]]e feed mainly on the vetches ''[[Coronilla varia]]'' and ''[[Coronilla emerus]]'', but also on the wild thyme (''[[Thymus serpyllum]]''), horseshoe vetch (''[[Hippocrepis comosa]]'') and other types of clover (''[[Trifolium]]''), speedwell (''[[Veronica (plant)|Veronica]]'') and plantain (''[[Plantago]]'').
''Z.ephialtes'' are one of the largest species of burnet moths. Their flight has been described as slow and undulating. <ref name=":1" />

== Host-plants ==
There are many species of host plants for ''Z.ephialtes.'' The most common are ''Coronilla emerus,'' ''Coronilla varia'', ''Securigera varia'' (purple crown vetch) and ''Hippocrepis comosa'' (horseshoe vetch). Another species that has been observed less frequently is ''Hippocrepis emerus'' (scorpion senna). <ref name=":1" />

== Mimicry ==
''Amata phegea'' is another spotted moth species that looks similar to ''Z.ephialtes.'' <ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Because ''Z.ephialtes'' is unpalatable to other species, ''A.phegea'' takes advantage of this. ''Z. ephialtes'' is hyper-polymorphic, with two main forms- peucedanoid or ephialtoid. The peucedanoid form consists of a colored forewing and hindwing with sports. The ephialtoid form consists of all the all the forewing spots being white except the two basal spots, and the hindwings being black with a white spot. Either of these forms can either be red or yellow. The yellow form has been found to be more advantageous than the red one. <ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Anderson|first=T. R.|last2=Slotkin|first2=T. A.|date=1975-08-15|title=Maturation of the adrenal medulla--IV. Effects of morphine|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7|journal=Biochemical Pharmacology|volume=24|issue=16|pages=1469–1474|issn=1873-2968|pmid=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Chow|first=Y. W.|last2=Pietranico|first2=R.|last3=Mukerji|first3=A.|date=1975-10-27|title=Studies of oxygen binding energy to hemoglobin molecule|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6|journal=Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications|volume=66|issue=4|pages=1424–1431|issn=0006-291X|pmid=6}}</ref>


==Subspecies==
==Subspecies==
Subspecies within this species: <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catalogueoflife.org/col/details/species/id/4eba8d8f1c2c89f2aa8b7a17f32bec14|title=Catalogue of Life : Zygaena ephialtes Linnaeus, 1767|website=www.catalogueoflife.org|language=en|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref>
Subspecies within this species: <ref name=funet/>
{{div col|cols=2}}
{{div col|cols=3|colwidth=}}
*''Zygaena ephialtes ephialtes''
*''Zygaena ephialtes ephialtes''
*''Zygaena ephialtes albaflavens'' <small>Verity, 1920</small>
*''Zygaena ephialtes albaflavens'' <small>Verity, 1920</small>
Line 77: Line 87:
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


==References==
== Conservation ==
As mentioned earlier, this species is an integral part in xeric environments. <ref name=":1" /> However, with the decline in these environments, the species is also vanishing from many of these regions. Because of changing environments, these butterflies are required to travel longer than normal distances to find suitable habitats. Populations are declining. Some sources say that this species is critically endangered. Recently there has been some human involvement with the species by protecting some xeric sites that the butterflies are inhabiting. <ref name=":1" />
{{reflist}}
* C. M. Naumann, G. M. Tarmann, W. G. Tremewan: ''The Western Palaearctic Zygaenidae''. Apollo Books, Stenstrup, 1999


==References==
{{commonscat}}
{{wikispecies}}
==External links==
*[http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/ZygaeEphia.htm Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa]
*[http://www.catalogueoflife.org/col/details/species/id/10649779 Catalogue of Life]
*[http://www.lepiforum.de/cgi-bin/lepiwiki.pl?Zygaena_Ephialtes Lepiforum.de]
{{taxonbar}}


[[Category:Zygaena]]
[[Category:Zygaena]]

Revision as of 18:24, 16 November 2017

Zygaena ephialtes
Ephialtoid form
Peucedanoid form
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Zygaenidae
Genus:
Zygaena
Species:
Z. ephialtes
Binomial name
Zygaena ephialtes
(Linnaeus, 1767)
Synonyms
  • Sphinx ephialtes Linnaeus, 1767
  • Sphinx athamanthae Esper, 1789
  • Sphinx coronillae Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
  • Sphynx medusa Pallas, 1771
  • Sphinx peucedani Esper, 1780

Zygaena ephialtes is day flying species of burnet moth found in Europe. [1] It is typically found in xeric habitats, and populations have been recently decreasing[2]. It also exhibits Mullerian mimicry with other species, like Amata phegea. [3][4]

Description

Z.ephialtes typically fly during the day. Adult butterfly flight is often characterized as slow. As characteristic of Zygaenidae moths, they have prominent spots on their wings, which alerts predators that they contain toxins. [1]

Range

This family of moths is spead throughout most of Europe, ranging from Spain to the Ural Mountains. It is not found in the British Isles, northern Europe, or certain islands in the Mediterranean. [2][3]

Habitat

A study was done by Jakub Horak that focused on populations in the Czech Republic. [2] Many previously unknown habitat preferences of Z.ephialtes were found. This species cannot survive in forested areas or areas with a closed canopy. Z.ephialtes prefer xeric conditions, and were rarely found in more humid areas. The two times they were found in non-exeric areas, the areas were previously xeric sites that were abandoned. The xeric areas that were studied also had many species that are specifically associated with xeric environments, referred to as xeric specialists. Some of these species include Phengaris arion, Psophus stridulus, Polyommatus coridon, Polyommatus daphnis, Plebjus argus, and Zygaena carniolica. This study showed that Z.ephialtes is an important part of xeric habitats. [2]

Behavior

Migration

Because of the slower nature of the adult butterflies’ movement, a typical butterfly’s range was thought to be on the smaller side. However, after observing certain populations in the Czech Republic, it was found that this species was found during quick flying events over longer distances. [2]

Life Cycle

Eggs

The eggs are pale yellow in appearance. They are laid in a single layer and in many batches. [2]

Caterpillars

Caterpillars appear yellow with small black portions. [2]

Pupae

Pupae appear brown and are typically found on the stems of various types of grasses. [2]

Adults

Z.ephialtes are one of the largest species of burnet moths. Their flight has been described as slow and undulating. [2]

Host-plants

There are many species of host plants for Z.ephialtes. The most common are Coronilla emerus, Coronilla varia, Securigera varia (purple crown vetch) and Hippocrepis comosa (horseshoe vetch). Another species that has been observed less frequently is Hippocrepis emerus (scorpion senna). [2]

Mimicry

Amata phegea is another spotted moth species that looks similar to Z.ephialtes. [3][4] Because Z.ephialtes is unpalatable to other species, A.phegea takes advantage of this. Z. ephialtes is hyper-polymorphic, with two main forms- peucedanoid or ephialtoid. The peucedanoid form consists of a colored forewing and hindwing with sports. The ephialtoid form consists of all the all the forewing spots being white except the two basal spots, and the hindwings being black with a white spot. Either of these forms can either be red or yellow. The yellow form has been found to be more advantageous than the red one. [3][4][5][6]

Subspecies

Subspecies within this species: [7]

  • Zygaena ephialtes ephialtes
  • Zygaena ephialtes albaflavens Verity, 1920
  • Zygaena ephialtes albarubens Verity, 1946
  • Zygaena ephialtes athamanthae (Esper, 1789)
  • Zygaena ephialtes bohemia Reiss, 1922
  • Zygaena ephialtes chalkidikae Holik, 1937
  • Zygaena ephialtes corcyrica Rauch, 1981
  • Zygaena ephialtes coronillae (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775)
  • Zygaena ephialtes danastriensis Holik, 1939
  • Zygaena ephialtes istoki Silbernagel, 1944
  • Zygaena ephialtes ligus Verity, 1946
  • Zygaena ephialtes lurica Dujardin, 1965
  • Zygaena ephialtes medusa (Pallas, 1771)
  • Zygaena ephialtes meridiei Burgeff, 1926
  • Zygaena ephialtes pannonica Holik, 1937
  • Zygaena ephialtes peucedani (Esper, 1780)
  • Zygaena ephialtes podolica Holik, 1932
  • Zygaena ephialtes retyesati Holik, 1948
  • Zygaena ephialtes roussilloni Koch, 1940
  • Zygaena ephialtes smolikana Naumann & Rose, 1981
  • Zygaena ephialtes tambovensis Holik & Sheljuzhko, 1953
  • Zygaena ephialtes taurida Holik & Sheljuzhko, 1953
  • Zygaena ephialtes transpadana Verity, 1946
  • Zygaena ephialtes tymphrestica Holik, 1948

Conservation

As mentioned earlier, this species is an integral part in xeric environments. [2] However, with the decline in these environments, the species is also vanishing from many of these regions. Because of changing environments, these butterflies are required to travel longer than normal distances to find suitable habitats. Populations are declining. Some sources say that this species is critically endangered. Recently there has been some human involvement with the species by protecting some xeric sites that the butterflies are inhabiting. [2]

References

  1. ^ a b "The butterfly fauna of the Italian Maritime Alps: results of the EDIT project". BioOne. doi:10.5252/z2015n1a6. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Habitat requirements of conspicuous burnet moth Zygaena ephialtes (Linnaeus, 1767; Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) (PDF Download Available)". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  3. ^ a b c d Sbordoni, V.; Bullini, L.; Scarpelli, G.; Forestiero, S.; Rampini, M. (1979-02-01). "Mimicry in the burnet moth Zygaena ephialtes: population studies and evidence of a Batesian—Müllerian situation". Ecological Entomology. 4 (1): 83–93. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1979.tb00563.x. ISSN 1365-2311.
  4. ^ a b c Turner, J. R. G. (1971). Ecological Genetics and Evolution. Springer, Boston, MA. pp. 224–260. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-0432-7_11. ISBN 9781475704341.
  5. ^ Anderson, T. R.; Slotkin, T. A. (1975-08-15). "Maturation of the adrenal medulla--IV. Effects of morphine". Biochemical Pharmacology. 24 (16): 1469–1474. ISSN 1873-2968. PMID 7.
  6. ^ Chow, Y. W.; Pietranico, R.; Mukerji, A. (1975-10-27). "Studies of oxygen binding energy to hemoglobin molecule". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 66 (4): 1424–1431. ISSN 0006-291X. PMID 6.
  7. ^ "Catalogue of Life : Zygaena ephialtes Linnaeus, 1767". www.catalogueoflife.org. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
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