Euthrix potatoria
Species of moth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Euthrix potatoria, the drinker, is an orange-brown moth of the family Lasiocampidae.[1]
| Euthrix potatoria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Lasiocampidae |
| Genus: | Euthrix |
| Species: | E. potatoria |
| Binomial name | |
| Euthrix potatoria | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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The species' common and scientific names derive from the larva's supposed drinking of drops of dew.[2]
Name
The scientific name Euthryx potatoria was given to this moth by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. In choosing the name potatoria 'drinker-like', he was inspired by the Dutch entomologist Johannes Goedaert, who had called the animal dronckaerdt 'drunkard' "because it is very much inclined to drinking".[3] This remark refers to the moth's habit of repeatedly plunging its head into the water.[4] The English name drinker (moth) also refers to Goedaert's analogy.
Subspecies
Subspecies include:[1]
- Euthrix potatoria mikado Bryk
- Euthrix potatoria potatoria (Linnaeus, 1758)
Distribution and habitat
This species can be found in Europe.[5] The species is fairly common in the southern half of Britain.[citation needed] In Scotland, it is common in the west but not in the east of the country.[6] It is most frequently found in marshy places, fens and riversides but may also be seen in drier, grassy terrain.[7][2]
Description
Imago
The imago has a wingspan of 4.5–6.5 cm (1.8–2.6 in). The yellowish females are slightly larger than the orange-brown male but both sexes usually show the two distinctive white spots on the forewing.[2] Females have slightly serrated antennae, while male have deeply combed antennae.[8]
Larvae and pupae
The fully grown larva is about 6 cm (2.4 in) long, hairy, striped and spotted, with distinctive tufts fore and aft. Larvae hibernate while young and resume feeding in the spring, pupating in a cocoon during the summer.[7]
Biology
This nocturnal moth flies from June to August depending on the location. Males especially are attracted to light.[7][2] The females lay their eggs in small clusters, mainly on the stem of grasses or reeds.[8] The larvae feed on various grasses and reeds (Alopecurus, Deschampsia, Dactylis, Elymus (syn. Elytrigia), Carex, Luzula and other Gramineae).[9]
Gallery
Drinker moth caterpillar eating grass.
Caterpillar
Caterpillar (ventral)
Mounted specimen. Male
Female
_-_Keila.jpg)
