Adscita geryon (Hübner, 1813) Species
Last modified: Nov. 4, 2023, 10:27 a.m.
This very rare and declining species is only known from a few places in the southern provinces in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Zygaenidae > Subfamily: Procridinae > Genus: Adscita > Species: Adscita geryon
- Vernacular names
- Kleine metaalvlinder (NL), Cistus Forester (EN), La Turquoise de l'Hélianthème, Le Procris de l'Hélianth (FR), Sonnenröschen-Grünwidderchen (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Lambillion L.-J. 1900–1913. Catalogue des Lépidoptères de Belgique. — Revue mensuelle de la Société entomologique namuroise Supplément: 1–464. On page 380.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 20–25 mm. For a certain determination within this genus, examination of the genitalia is essential.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Bionomics
Young larvae make a number of rather large, untidy fleck mines. The opening of the mine is a slit at the side. The mines contain little of no frass. The lower-surface opening, by which the larva has entered the mine, is irregularly roundish. Older larvae live free on the plant.
After hibernation the caterpillars are fully-grown between late April and mid-May and pupate in a cocoon near the ground.
They are active during the day and both sexes visiting flowers. They have a slow flight.
Flight periods
The adults fly from late June towards end of July.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Helianthemum
The larva lives on Helianthemum nummularium.
Habitat
It inhabits limestone grasslands and outcrops and chalky habitats.
