Eupithecia actaeata is a Eurasian species of moth of the family Geometridae.
| Eupithecia actaeata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Eupithecia |
| Species: | E. actaeata |
| Binomial name | |
| Eupithecia actaeata Walderdorff, 1869[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
Description
E. actaeata has a wingspan of 19–24 mm,[3] with broader wings than is typical for Eupithecia species.[2] Both wing pairs are grey,[2] brownish-grey,[3] or brown,[4] with somewhat paler hind- than forewings.[3][2]
Subspecies
- Eupithecia actaeata actaeata
- Eupithecia actaeata praenubilata Inoue, 1958
Distribution
Europe
Within Europe, E. actaeata is found France eastwards, where it is widely distributed in northern, central and eastern Europe,[3] and has only local distribution south of the Alps.[5]
Asia
In Asia, E. actaeata ranges from the southern Urals to Mongolia,[6] China (Qinghai and Shaanxi), Japan, the Russian Far East, Taiwan[3] and Korea.[2][4]
Habitat and host plants
E. actaeata has been found at altitudes from sea level up to 2000 m in Europe[3] and between 1600 and 3000 m in China.[2] It is found in forests with a presence of Actaea spicata (baneberry),[3][5] its main host plant. In north-western Europe, it is found predominantly in closed spruce forests.[7] In Asia, it has been found on another species of Actaea.[2] Other known host plants are Thalictrum aquilegiifolium and Thalictrum flavum.[3] Viburnum opulus has also been mentioned in scientific literature,[3] but might be erroneous.[8]
Life cycle
There are two generations per year with adults on wing from the end of May to August. Larvae can be found from June to September. It overwinters as a pupa.
References
External links
