Chesias rufata

Chesias rufata, the broom-tip, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It has a wide range in central and western Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland. It is also found from Morocco to Asia Minor.

Chesias rufata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Genus:
Chesias
Species:
C. rufata
Binomial name
Chesias rufata
(Fabricius, 1775)[1]
Synonyms
  • Phalaena rufata Fabricius, 1775
  • Chesias pinkeri Schawerda, 1939
  • Chesias zuellichi Schawerda, 1939

The wingspan is 26–32 millimetres (1.0–1.3 in). The approximately oval-shaped wings are typical. The basal area of the forewing is silver. There is a very distinct reddish-brown cross band. Some specimens show a grey basal area and very wide reddish-brown areas on either side of the midfield. Others show a black mark on the upper part of the second cross line of the forewings following the mark is a reddish or ochreous flush, extending to the tips of the wings. A dark dividing line is located at the apex. A wavy whitish stands near the margin. The hindwings are unpatterned ochre grey in colour.

Adults are on wing from April to May. Normally, there is one generation per year. However, a second generation may occur with adults on wing from June to August. Adults have been recorded feeding on nectar from the flowers of Salix and Berberis species.

The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius, Genista tinctoria and Genista germanica. Larvae can be found from June to October. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.

Subspecies
  • Chesias rufata rufata
  • Chesias rufata cinereata Staudinger, 1901
  • Chesias rufata obliquaria Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Chesias rufata occidentalis Delahaye, 1900
  • Chesias rufata ornata Heydemann, 1933
  • Chesias rufata plumbeata Staudinger, 1901 (Morocco)
  • Chesias rufata pinkeri Schawerda, 1939
  • Chesias rufata scotica Richardson, 1952

Etymology

The scientific name of the species derives from the Latin rufus meaning "red".

References
  1. "Chesias rufata Schawerda, 1919". 2.6.2. Fauna Europaea. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2017.


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