Geometridae : Larentiinae
Small Phoenix
ECLIPTOPERA silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Small Phoenix
ECLIPTOPERA silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Life Cycle Guide
Description
Wingspan: 29-34mm
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Caucasus : Transcaucasia : W.Siberia : C.Siberia : W.China : Tibet : from Alaska - Newfoundland - to New England, Colorado, California
UK Distribution: Well distributed in Great Britain : Isle of Man-not recorded : Channel Isles-local
UK Conservation Status -
Habitat: Woodland clearings : Gardens : Hedgerows : roadside verges : Heathland : Calcareous Grassland
Similar Species -
Pupa: Pupates among plant debris
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: There are two main forms for this species,both concerning the broad median band which, in one case is broken by a pair of white vertical lines, E.s.f.insula Haworth, 1759 on the proximal band and the other form shown above which is the nominate form with a single broad band.
Behind the distal margin of the band are dentate or tooth like markings the same colour as the median band which ranges between dark brown and black.
Although looking similar the Phoenix E.prunata Linnaeus, 1758 is much larger and always found in shades of brown and not black as seen below.
The moth can be disturbed from its larval food plant during the day,flies from dusk,is attracted to the light trap and feeds on flowers.
Worldwide Distribution: Europe : Caucasus : Transcaucasia : W.Siberia : C.Siberia : W.China : Tibet : from Alaska - Newfoundland - to New England, Colorado, California
UK Distribution: Well distributed in Great Britain : Isle of Man-not recorded : Channel Isles-local
UK Conservation Status -
- NERC S.41 : 2008 (England) & NERC S.42 : 2009 (Wales) - Species "of principle importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity
- Northern Ireland - Priority Species : 2010
- Common = > 300 10Km Squares
- BAP : 2007 - Priority Species
- Vulnerable
- Least Concern
- Geometra silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
- Eustroma triangulifera Moore, 1888
- Austria-near Vienna
Habitat: Woodland clearings : Gardens : Hedgerows : roadside verges : Heathland : Calcareous Grassland
Similar Species -
- The Phoenix Eulithis prunata Linnaeus, 1758
Pupa: Pupates among plant debris
Overwinters as: Pupa
Observations: There are two main forms for this species,both concerning the broad median band which, in one case is broken by a pair of white vertical lines, E.s.f.insula Haworth, 1759 on the proximal band and the other form shown above which is the nominate form with a single broad band.
Behind the distal margin of the band are dentate or tooth like markings the same colour as the median band which ranges between dark brown and black.
Although looking similar the Phoenix E.prunata Linnaeus, 1758 is much larger and always found in shades of brown and not black as seen below.
The moth can be disturbed from its larval food plant during the day,flies from dusk,is attracted to the light trap and feeds on flowers.
Photo Gallery
Larval Food Plants Worldwide
Small Phoenix larvae feed on plant families described below plant photos.
The larvae also feed on the following list of hostplant names :-
:
Small Phoenix larvae feed on plant families described below plant photos.
The larvae also feed on the following list of hostplant names :-
:
Note - Plants hyperlinked in red below take the visitor to the relevant plant page on"Plants for a Future" website
where further information like photos,physical
characteristics,habitats,edible uses,medicinal
uses,cultivation,propagation,range,height etc. are clearly listed.
- Plant Families - in bold red below takes the visitor to the relevant "Lepi-plants" page where other butterflies & moths using the plants below are listed.
- Onagraceae - Evening Primrose Family
- Circaea lutetiana - Enchanter's Nightshade
- Epilobium angustifolium - Rosebay Willow-herb
- Epilobium coloratum - Purple Willowherb
- Epilobium fleischeri - Alpine Willowherb
- Epilobium hirsutum - Great Willowherb
- Epilobium montanum - Broad-leaved Willowherb
- Note - Larvae also feed on the following plant families
- Balsaminaceae - Impatiens
- Onagraceae - Fuchsia
- Balsaminaceae - Impatiens
- Note - Larvae also feed on the following plant families
Larval Food Plant Slideshow
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Taxonomy
Kingdom:
Subkingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Class: Order: Superfamily: Family: Subfamily: Tribe: Genus: Accepted Species Name: Type Species - ECLIPTOPERA: Original Species Name: Species Names: Literary Ref: Type Locality: Forms/Aberrations: Subspecies: |
Animalia
Eumetozoa Arthropoda Hexapoda Insecta Lepidoptera Geometroidea Geometridae Larentiinae Cidariini ECLIPTOPERA Warren 1894 Ecliptopera silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Eustroma triangulifera Moore, 1888 - GEOMETRA silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) = insulata Haworth, 1809 = cuneata Donovan, 1810 = silacearia Boisduval, 1840 - Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend : Title Page : p.113 - n.20 - Austria-near Vienna - E.s.f.insula Haworth, 1759-median band broken by two brown and white lines - E.s.silaceata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 E.s.leuca Djakonov, 1929-East Siberia : Far East E.s.albolineata Packard,1873 |