Gold swift
The gold swift (Phymatopus hecta) is a moth belonging to the family Hepialidae. Until recently it was placed in the genus Hepialus. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is a widespread species of Europe, its distribution following that of its food plant, bracken.
Gold swift | |
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Species: | P. hecta |
Binomial name | |
Phymatopus hecta | |
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This is a rather small moth for the family, with a wingspan of 26–32 mm. The male is distinctive, the brown forewings marked with two parallel bands of gold markings. The larger female is less striking with muted grey-and-brown markings. The adult is on the wing in June and July and both sexes are moderately attracted to light. To attract females, the male emits a scent rather similar to pineapple.
The larva feeds internally on the stems and roots of bracken, taking two years to reach full size, when it emerges to pupate in the ground.
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
References
- Skinner, Bernard (1984). The Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles.
- Waring, Paul & Townsend, Martin (2003). Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Phymatopus hecta. |
Wikispecies has information related to Phymatopus |
- Kimber, Ian. "3.004 BF16 Gold Swift Phymatopus hecta (Linnaeus, 1758)". UKMoths. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- Fauna Europaea
- Lepiforum e.V.
- De Vlinderstichting (in Dutch)