70.094 : 1759 : 8338
Geometridae : Larentiinae

Small Phoenix

ECLIPTOPERA silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Picture
Life Cycle Guide
Picture
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 -
  • 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
European Conservation Status -
  • Least Concern
Original Species Name -
  • Geometra silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Type Species - Ecliptopera
  • Eustroma triangulifera Moore, 1888
Type Locality -
  • Austria-near Vienna
Flight Period: South-bivoltine-early April to end June & early July to mid September : Elsewhere-May to June & late July to August
Habitat: Woodland clearings : Gardens : Hedgerows : roadside verges : Heathland : Calcareous Grassland
Similar Species -
  • The Phoenix Eulithis prunata Linnaeus, 1758
Larva: Late June to July & late August to September. Final instar larva about 24mm long
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 :-
 :
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.
Larval Food Plant Slideshow
Taxonomy
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Type Species - ECLIPTOPERA:

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Subspecies:
Animalia
Eumetozoa
Arthropoda
Hexapoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Geometroidea
Geometridae
Larentiinae
Cidariini
ECLIPTOPERA Warren 1894
Ecliptopera silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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Eustroma triangulifera Moore, 1888
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GEOMETRA silaceata ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
= insulata Haworth, 1809
= cuneata Donovan, 1810
= silacearia Boisduval, 1840
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Ankündung eines systematischen Werkes von den Schmetterlingen der Wienergegend : Title Page : p.113 - n.20
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Austria-near Vienna
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E.s.f.insula Haworth, 1759-median band broken by two brown and white lines
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E.s.silaceata Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
E.s.leuca Djakonov, 1929-East Siberia : Far East
E.s.albolineata Packard,1873