Copper underwing
| Amphipyra pyramidea | |
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| Copper underwing moth | |
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| Species: | A. pyramidea
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| Binomial name | |
| Amphipyra pyramidea | |
The copper underwing, humped green fruitworm, or pyramidal green fruitworm (Amphipyra pyramidea) is a moth of the family Noctuidae.
Distribution
This species can be found throughout the US and southern Canada[1] as well as across the Palaearctic region including Europe, North Africa, the Near East, Iran, South Siberia, north India, Korea and Japan.[2][3] It is rather common over the southern half of Britain.[4]
Description
This species has a wingspan of 47–54 mm,[4] the female usually slightly larger than the male. The forewings are brown marked with paler fascia and a pale, dark-centred stigma. The hindwings are a rich bright copper colour (hence the common name of copper underwing).
It is very similar to Svensson's copper underwing (Amphipyra berbera) but identification is usually fairly straightforward by looking at some markings on the forewings,[5] the detail of the labial palps[4] and at the underside of the hindwings. This species has a pale area in the centre of the hindwings, contrasting with much darker marginal areas, while in A. berbera the whole underwing is more or less uniform in colour. The larva is green with white markings and a pointed hump at the rear end.
Differenciation of A. pyramidea from A. berbera
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Amphipyra pyramidea - A red arrow points out a difference -
Amphipyra berbera - red arrows points out a difference -
Comparison of caterpillars of A. pyramidea (top) and A. berbera
Biology
It is an univoltine species. Hatching season is as early as June in some climates but usually hatch July to October. Eggs are laid in deciduous trees. Larva can be found as early as April in some climates but usually emerge in May–June. A pyramidea flies at night from August to October [1] and is attracted to light and strongly to sugar.[4] It feeds on a variety of trees and shrubs, including ash tree (Fraxinus), privet (Ligustrum), honeysuckle (Lonicera), apple (Malus), oak (Quercus), Rhododendron, rose, wild service tree (Sorbus) and lilac (Syringa).[6][4][2][7] The species overwinters as an egg.
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
Gallery
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Larva -
Moth -
Mounted specimen -
Illustration
References
- ^ http://bugguide.net/node/view/13299
- ^ a b Funet
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ a b c d e Copper underwing on UKmoths
- ^ Entomart
- ^ "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London".
- ^ Paolo Mazzei, Daniel Morel, Raniero Panfili Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
- Chinery, Michael Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
- Skinner, Bernard Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles 1984
External links
- Schmetterlinge der Schweiz
- Lepiforum.de Includes photo of genitalia
- Schmetterling-raupe.de