Drinker
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
  • Philudoria potatoria
Caterpillar

Euthrix potatoria, the drinker, is an orange-brown moth of the family Lasiocampidae.[1]

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. 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][8]

Status

In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

Description

Imago

The imago has a wingspan of 45–65 mm. The yellowish females are slightly larger than the orange-brown male but both sexes usually show the two distinctive white spots on the forewing.[8] Females have slightly serrated antennae, while male have deeply combed antennae.[9]

Larvae and pupae

The fully grown larva is about 6 cm 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][8] The females lay their eggs in small clusters, mainly on the stem of grasses or reeds.[9] The larvae feed on various grasses and reeds (Alopecurus, Deschampsia, Dactylis, Elytrigia, Carex, Luzula and other Gramineae).[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Biolib
  2. ↑ "The Drinker Euthrix potatoria". UK Moths. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Goedaert, J. (1660), Metamorphosis naturalis. Middelburgh: Jaques Fierens (p. 47).
  4. ↑ Beelen, H., & Van der Sijs, N. (2018). Natneus, molenaar, hypocriet. Insectennamen uit de zeventiende eeuw. Onze Taal, 2018(7/8), 26-27.
  5. ↑ Fauna europaea
  6. ↑ NMRS map
  7. 1 2 3 Ford, R.L.E. (1963). Larger British Moths. Frederick Warne.
  8. 1 2 3 UK Moths
  9. 1 2 Insight.com/drinker-moth-euthrix-potatoria-bf-1640/ Wildliifeinsight
  10. ↑ Paolo Mazzei, Daniel Morel, Raniero Panfili Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
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