Laothoe populi, Pappelfalke-Motte -weiblich- zeigt Hinterflügel vor Vorwärts des Vorderweges gehalten, auf einem Zweig auf Gartenstrauch ruhend, Pembrokeshire, Wales UK
5760 x 3840 px | 48,8 x 32,5 cm | 19,2 x 12,8 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
17. Mai 2020
Ort:
Pembrokeshire Wales UK
Weitere Informationen:
Laothoe populi, the poplar hawk-moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East and is one of the most common members of the family in the region. It is distinctive due to its habit of resting with its hindwings held further forward than (but still half hidden by) the forewings. Adults may be seen from May to September, and do not feed, not having a functional proboscis, and can vary in colour from grey to yellow. The larva is green, feeds on poplar and some other tree species, and pupates below ground. This is a large (wingspan 70–100 mm), odd-looking, species due to its habit of resting with its hindwings held further forward than (but still half hidden by) the forewings (the species lacks a frenulum joining the wings together). It is said to look like a cluster of dead leaves of the main host, poplar. When disturbed, the moth will suddenly reveal a bright orange-red basal patch on the hindwing, possibly as a distraction or startle display. The wings are grey marked with darker grey fascia but with the greys occasionally replaced by buffish tones (this form is more frequent among females than males). There is a white spot at the distal edge of the cell on the forewings. Although they emerge late at night or early in the morning, the moth flies starting from the second night and is strongly attracted to light. Having no functional proboscis, it does not feed. The adults drink nectar.
