Eriogaster catax

Eriogaster catax
Adult (top) and larva (bottom)
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lasiocampidae
Genus:	Eriogaster
Species:	E. catax
Binomial name
Eriogaster catax (Linnaeus, 1758)

Eriogaster catax, commonly known as the eastern eggar, is a species of moth in the family Lasiocampidae.

Description

Eriogaster catax has a wingspan of 27–35 millimetres (1.1–1.4 in) in males, of 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in) in the females. This species shows a pronounced sexual dimorphism. The males are smaller and have feathery antennae. In males the basal part of the front wing is yellow-orange, while the outer part is pinkish-brown. In the females the front wings are browner. In both sexes, the front wings show a transversal line and a white discal spot within a dark border. Hind wings have no markings. Females are larger and at the end of the abdomen they have a tuft of dense gray-black hairs.

The eggs hatch in April. The larvae feed on Crataegus, Quercus, Betula, Populus, Prunus and Berberis species. This univoltine species fly at night in September and October.

Distribution

It is found in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, and Spain.

References

• P. J. Van Helsdingen, Luc Willemse, Martin C. D. Speigh Background information on invertebrates of the Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention
• Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
• Fauna europaea
• Discovertarnavamare
• Lepiforum.de