Wednesday, 8 September 2021
Tuesday, 7 September 2021
6-9-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea incisaria)
Idaea incisaria, a small geometrid moth (wave) in the Sterrhinae subfamily, is known for being highly variable in color (white to black-grey), feeding as detritivores (dead plant matter) as larvae, laying eggs singly or in small groups on various substrates like silk or dry leaves, and being found across Europe and Asia, thriving in dry Mediterranean climates.
Key Facts:
Classification: A geometer moth (Family: Geometridae, Subfamily: Sterrhinae).
Appearance: Extremely variable, from almost pure white to dark grey, with patterns (lines, spots) that can be well-defined or absent.
Diet (Larvae): Detritivores, meaning they consume dead organic matter (leaf litter) rather than live plants, unlike many related species.
Reproduction (Oviposition): Females lay eggs individually or in small clutches (2-12) on silk threads, dry plant fragments, or even container walls.
Habitat: Common in Mediterranean regions, adapted to dry, warm conditions, and found in Europe (Spain, UK) and parts of Asia.
Size: Adults typically have a wingspan of 16-20 mm.
Monday, 6 September 2021
Sunday, 5 September 2021
22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - MALACHITE BUTTERFLY (Siproeta stelenes)
Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the family Acanthaceae, especially Ruellia. The larvae are horned, spiny, black caterpillars with red markings, The pupal stage is green, with sharp, gold spines that can puncture predators.
Malachites often are confused with the heliconiine Philaethria dido. They have similar coloration, but their wing shapes are different.
22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREEN BANDED URANIA MOTH (Urania leilus)
Here are the key facts about this spectacular insect:
Habitat & Range: The species is found east of the Andes in the Amazon basin, ranging from Brazil and Peru to Suriname, Venezuela, and Trinidad. They prefer riverbanks and primary and secondary rainforests, thriving at elevations up to 800 meters.
Appearance: They have a striking wingspan of about 65–70 mm. The wings feature vibrant, metallic blue-green bands bordered by black and tipped with white "tails".
Diet & Toxicity: Caterpillars feed exclusively on the toxic plants of the genus Omphalea (specifically Omphalea diandra). They sequester these plant toxins, which remain in their system, making them distasteful to predators even in their adult stage.
Day-Flying Nature: Unlike most moths, the Green-Banded Urania is diurnal (active during the day). Because of their bright colors and behavior, they are frequently mistaken for butterflies and are highly sought after by collectors and artisans for framing and interior design.
Migration: They are powerful, migratory insects. Large swarms can occasionally be seen migrating, and they have even been recorded as vagrants on Caribbean islands like Barbados and Dominica.
Evolutionary History: They are closely related to the Urania fulgens (Urania swallowtail). It is believed these two species diverged about 2.7 to 5 million years ago when the Andes Mountains formed, forcing them into separate geographical ranges.
4-9-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - STINK BUG (Acrosternum heegeri)
The species Acrosternum heegeri Fieber, 1861 is a well-known member of the Mediterranean fauna in Europe and until recently was not recorded outside its natural range. In recent years, the presence of stable populations of the species in Budapest has been confirmed, and the first findings on the territory of Serbia are from 2013, when several overwintering adults were found under the bark of deciduous trees in Novi Sad.
Since 2017, active individuals have been recorded throughout the season, for now mainly from the area of Vojvodina. This bug is probably conquering new territories by transporting people and goods, but we assume that climate change is also responsible for establishing stable populations in new environments. The paper presents the findings of the species A. heegeri in Serbia, which were taken from the Alciphron database on insects in Serbia. A. heegeri is a polyphagous herbivore and has the status of an economically significant species in the Middle East because it causes damage in pistachio plantations.
5-9-2021 MONTAVERNER, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN STONECHAT (MALE) (Saxicola rubicola)
The stonechat is 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in) long and weighs 13–17 g (0.46–0.60 oz), slightly smaller than the European robin. Both sexes have distinctively short wings, shorter than those of the more migratory whinchat and Siberian stonechat. The summer male has black upperparts, a black head, an orange throat and breast, and a white belly and vent.
It also has a white half-collar on the sides of its neck, a small white scapular patch on the wings, and a very small white patch on the rump often streaked with black. The female has brown upperparts and head, and no white neck patches, rump or belly, these areas being streaked dark brown on paler brown, the only white being the scapular patch on the wings and even this often being buffy-white.
4-9-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HUNTSMAN SPIDER (Genus Eusparassus)
Eusparassus is a genus of huntsman spiders, known as the stone huntsman spiders, it was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1903.
They are medium to large huntsman spiders, their bodies measuring from 10mm to 30mm. Their eyes are arranged in two rows, the anterior one being slightly recurved, while the posterior ones are relatively straight. They are pale gray to dark brown spiders, with a uniform coloration in their body. Some may have a clearly patterned body with banded legs.
They can be identified by the presence of two pairs of tibial spines on the legs and distinguished from the Olios genus by the palpal bulb morphology.
They are commonly found in arid and semiarid deserts of Africa and most parts of Eurasia where they inhabit stony habitats and build retreats in crevices. They are one of the most visible arachnid predators in their habitats. They can be found in very high elevations from 3,000 to 4,000m above sea level.
They make silken papery webs, which are usually found in crevices or the underside of flat stones. This webs are used as protection during molts, or as a retreat during the day. Females of this species lay their egg sacs inside the retreats.
They are primarily found across Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Peru.True to their name as "stone huntsman spiders," they prefer rocky terrains. They do not spin webs to catch food. Instead, they spin firm silken daytime shelters inside stone crevices or directly underneath large rocks.
Behavior and Human Interaction
Diet: They are nocturnal hunters that rely on sheer speed and agile reflexes to ambush prey. Their diet consists largely of insects like cockroaches, making them highly beneficial for natural pest control.Venom & Aggression: While they are large and imposing, Eusparassus species are not aggressive toward humans. They will generally flee rather than fight, only biting if directly pinched or cornered. Their venom is not medically significant to humans; a bite may cause localized pain but is not life-threatening.
Notable Species
Eusparassus dufouri: The type species of the genus, commonly found across the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), Italy, and Greece.
Eusparassus walckenaeri: A widely distributed species across the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern wadis, frequently interacting with local desert fauna.
Eusparassus schoemanae: Known as the Northern Cape stone huntsman, native to the arid landscapes of Namibia and South Africa.
Friday, 3 September 2021
3-9-2021 TANCAT DE MILIA, VALENCIA - IBERIAN BLUE TAIL DAMSELFLY (Ischnura graellsii)
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A fairly slender species, the posterior edge of the prothorax with a well-marked but slightly raised median tubercle; the forewings and hindwings have a similarly sized pterostigma, bicolor in the male; the abdomen is dorsally bronzed black, the 2nd segment of which bears a well-marked dorsal tubercle, and the 8th and part of the 9th segments are sky-blue in the male and greyish or greenish in the female; the 10th segment of the male bears a thick dorsal tubercle.
Anal appendages: the cercoids are shorter than the cerci, uncrossed, with a sharp tip and an internal branch longer than the internal part; the cerci have an internal expansion.
Dimensions
Abdomen, 20–23 mm; hindwing, 12–16 mm.
Abdomen, 21–23 mm; hindwing, 14–16 mm.
Distribution is the Iberian Peninsula; North Africa (north of the Atlas Mountains).
Widely distributed across most of the Iberian Peninsula, it is the most common and abundant zygopteran in many areas.
The larvae, which are almost always found in stagnant waters (ditches, ponds, marshes, etc.), can tolerate slightly brackish waters.
The flight period of this species, very common in the Iberian Peninsula, extends from March to September.
3-9-2021 TANCAT DE MILIA, VALENCIA - LANG'S SHORT TAILED BLUE BUTTERFLY (Leptotes pirithous)
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Leptotes pirithous, commonly known as Lang's short-tailed blue or common zebra blue, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae.
Leptotes pirithous is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 21–29 mm (0.83–1.14 in) in males and 24–30 mm (0.94–1.18 in) in females. The uppersides of the wings are purple bluish in males, bluish brown in female. The undersides are dark beige striped with white lines. The hindwings show marginal orange and black spots and two small tails. For the design of the undersides of the wings they can be confused with Lampides boeticus and Cacyreus marshalli.
These butterflies fly from February to November depending on the location. They are regular migrants.
The larvae feed on the flowers and fruits of Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Plumbaginaceae species, including Plumbago capensis, Indigofera, Rynchosia, Vigna, Burkea, Mundulea, Melilotus, Crataegus, Quercus suber, Medicago sativa, Trifolium alexandrinum, Arachis hypogaea, Lythrum, Calluna, Genista, Dorycnium, Lythrum salicaria, Calluna vulgaris, Onobrychis viciifolia, Ulex and Melilotus alba. A life cycle takes about four to eight weeks, depending on the temperature.
3-9-2021 SOLLANA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SAND MARTIN (Riparia riparia)
The Sand Martin, known as the Bank Swallow in the Americas, is a diminutive and agile bird, a member of the swallow family. Its upper parts are cloaked in a modest brown, while its underparts are a stark white, bisected by a slender brown band across the breast. The bird's bill is a deep black, and its legs are a shade of brown. Juveniles can be distinguished by the rufous fringes on their coverts and the edges of their secondary feathers.
With a length of 12-14 cm and a wingspan of 25-33 cm, the Sand Martin is a small bird that can be readily identified by its brown back, white throat, and the distinctive narrow brown band on its breast. Its flight is characterized by rapid, jerky movements that set it apart from other swallows.
Sand Martins are commonly found near large bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or oceans, where they can be seen darting gracefully over the water's surface.
This migratory passerine has a broad summer range that spans Europe, the Mediterranean, and across the Palearctic to the Pacific Ocean. It is also a Holarctic species present in North America. During the winter months, it retreats to the warmer climates of eastern and southern Africa, South America, and the Indian Subcontinent.
Sand Martins are social birds, often nesting in large colonies where hundreds of pairs may reside in close proximity. They are early migrants, arriving at breeding grounds before many other swallows and departing by the end of September. Their flight is a delightful spectacle, with swift and erratic movements as they hunt for insects over water bodies.
The Sand Martin's vocalizations include a continuous twittering song while in flight, which softens to a conversational murmur when perched. They also emit a harsh alarm call in response to potential predators.
These birds exhibit a strong preference for nesting in sandy hills or loess banks, where they excavate tunnels to lay their eggs. The breeding season typically sees them produce two broods, with each clutch consisting of four to five pristine white eggs.
Their diet primarily consists of small insects, particularly gnats and other flies that have aquatic larval stages.
The Sand Martin is globally recognized as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, although it is noted that their numbers are decreasing. Some populations are under threat due to habitat loss and are protected under national and local conservation laws. In Canada, for instance, the species is listed as Threatened due to a significant population decline.
Thursday, 2 September 2021
2-9-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes)
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The Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), also known as the northern wren, is a diminutive bird, the sole representative of the wren family Troglodytidae found across Eurasia and Africa's Maghreb region. In Anglophone Europe, it is often simply referred to as the wren. This bird is characterized by its very short tail, typically held erect, a short neck, and a relatively long, thin bill. Its upperparts are russet brown, while the underparts are a paler buff-brown, complemented by a cream buff supercilium. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage.
The Eurasian wren can be identified by its compact, robust body, rounded wings, and notably short tail. It measures approximately 9 to 10 cm in length with a wingspan ranging from 13 to 17 cm, and weighs around 10 g. The plumage varies geographically, with some isolated populations exhibiting distinct coloration.
Wednesday, 1 September 2021
22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - PLUTO SPHINX MOTH (Xylophanes pluto)
The Pluto Sphinx Moth (Xylophanes pluto) is a striking, nocturnal insect native to the Americas, ranging from Argentina up through Central America into southern Florida and Texas. Named after the Greek god of the underworld, it features green camouflage wings, a yellow-orange hindwing, and is a crucial nocturnal pollinator.
Here is a breakdown of key facts about this fascinating species:
Appearance & IdentificationWingspan: A medium-to-large moth with a wingspan of 53 to 65 mm.
Adult coloration: The forewings are green with white speckling. The hindwings are distinctive, displaying a vibrant yellow-orange band bordered by black and brown.
The Body: The thorax and abdomen are green with metallic yellow or white scales.
Habitat & Behavior
Distribution: Can be found in tropical and subtropical lowlands, commonly in the Caribbean, Florida Keys, and South America.
Nocturnal Flight: As a member of the Sphingidae family, they hover much like hummingbirds while feeding on flower nectar (such as wild verbena) at night.
31-8-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SHIELDBACK KATYDID (Thyreonotus corsicus)
Thyreonotus corsicus is a species belonging to the family Tettigoniidae subfamily Tettigoniinae. It is found in the western Mediterranean from the Iberian Peninsula over the south of France to the southwestern Alps. Isolated populations are found in Corsica and Sardinia.
Shieldbacks have a substantial pronotum that looks like a shield.
They look like tiny armored tanks – rounded, plump, sturdy - but they are not as invulnerable as they appear and can be seriously injured if dropped. It might be a good idea to leave them where you find them (should you be fortunate enough to locate one) and simply watch what they do - including catching and eating other insects. I observed a Protean Shieldback about to grab and eat a male Japanese beetle that was in the process of mating!
They live in woodland edges and shrubby meadows, and their shades of brown blend very well with bark, shrub stems, and dry leaves. These katydids are generally nocturnal and are predators on smaller insects. Although I seldom see or hear them, they seem to mature in the beginning of July.
Their song is an electrical buzzing reminiscent of a humming wire. Although non-native, they mature earlier than our native meadow katydids and don’t seem to be a problem. Listen for them in grassy meadows from later June into July.
The Shieldback Katydid (Thyreonotus corsicus) is a flightless bush cricket native to the western Mediterranean, spanning the Iberian Peninsula, France, and isolated islands like Corsica and Sardinia. Recognized by a massive, saddle-like shield covering its thorax and vestigial wings, this chunky insect plays a vital role in natural pest control.
Key Characteristics & Ecology
Appearance: These katydids measure between 20 to 29 mm in length (excluding the female's prominent, sword-like ovipositor). They exhibit distinct, armored-looking "shields" (pronotums) and come in both green and brown color variations to blend into the shrubbery.
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