Epirrita autumnata (Borkhausen, 1794) Species
Last modified: March 21, 2024, 6:25 p.m.
An uncommon species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Geometridae > Subfamily: Larentiinae > Tribus: Operophterini > Genus: Epirrita > Species: Epirrita autumnata
- Vernacular names
- Novemberspanner (NL), Autumnal Moth (EN), L'Epirrite automnale (FR), Birken-Moorwald-Herbstspanner (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 17.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 32–40 mm.
Although some sources claim that you can identify the 3 Epirrita species by the markings on the front wing, this is only a guide and there is much overlapping and therefore not certain.
If you want to be 100% certain, then the examination of the genitalia is necessary. This only applies to males, the female genitals are too variable to identify.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Male genitalia: posterior projections of sternum A8 short, often truncate, their distance 0,4–0,5 mm exceeding their lenght about 3–4 times.
Female genitalia: without constant and significant differences from other European congeners, females impossible to identify.
Bionomics
The moths are attracted to light and occasionally to sugar.
Flight periods
The adults fly from beginning of October till mid-November.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Alnus glutinosa
- Host plant (genera):
- Betula
The larva lives mainly on Alnus and Betula spp., but also on other various deciduous trees.
Habitat
It inhabits deciduous woodland.
