Thetidia smaragdaria (Fabricius, 1787) Species
Last modified: May 16, 2024, 12:28 p.m.
A very rare and very local species in the southern part of Belgium. Not seen for a very long time, but rediscovered again in 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Geometridae > Subfamily: Geometrinae > Tribus: Comibaenini > Genus: Thetidia > Subgenus: Antonechloris > Species: Thetidia smaragdaria
- Vernacular names
- Witstipzomervlinder (NL), Essex Emerald (EN), L'Emeraude (FR), Smaragdspanner (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Derenne F. 1928. Espèces nouvelles pour la faune belge (suite). — Lambillionea 28: 2, 10, 114–116. On page 2.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 28–35 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The larva hibernates and is mature in April/May.
No pictures yet!
Flight periods
The adults occur in one or two (depending on locality) generations between May and September, most often with peak in June or July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Artemisia maritima
The larvae feed on Asteraceae, especially species like Achillea millefolium or Artemisia sp.
No pictures yet!
Habitat
It mostly inhabits dry and warm, but also humid and warm habitats like nutrient-poor grasslands, embankments, steppes and heathlands.
No pictures yet!
