Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) ➔ Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods) ➔ Class Insecta (Insects) ➔ Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths) ➔ Family Crambidae (Grass moths, tussock moths)
Patania ruralis (Scopoli, 1763)
Nesselzünsler Mother of Pearl
Synonyms and other combinations:
Phalaena ruralis Scopoli, 1763 [original combination] | Pleuroptya ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) | Botys ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) | Syllepta ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) | Sylepta ruralis (Scopoli, 1763) |
DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
2006-08-12 10:38:13
DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
2006-08-05 11:32:44
DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
2006-07-15 11:34:01
DE, Chemnitz, Zeisigwald
2005-08-27 15:08:37
DE, Chemnitz, Hutholz
2005-08-17 17:34:27
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-19 16:58:28
pupa
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-20 13:03:27
pupa
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-20 12:59:46
pupa
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-20 13:00:19
exuvia
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-25 13:10:27
male
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-25 11:00:48
male
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-25 10:53:45
male
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-25 10:56:30
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-19 16:16:14
pupa
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-20 13:05:19
male
DE, Chemnitz, Stadtpark
2018-06-26 09:31:29
Classification:
Patania ruralis belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae.Distribution:
Europe, in parts of Asia.Habitat:
Edges of forests, roadsides, meadows, everywhere where the host plants of the caterpillars (stinging nettle, hops...) grow.Description:
The Mother of Pearl Patania ruralis has a wingspan of 26 - 40 mm. The front and back wings of the pearlescent shining moth show a characteristic pattern with brownish, wavy transverse lines.Biology:
Patania ruralis forms 2 generations per year and flies from June to September. The moths are mainly nocturnal, but can also be found during the day. The main food plant of the caterpillars of the Mother of Pearl is the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Other well-known host plants are hops (Humulus lupulus), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and upright pellitory (Parietaria officinalis). The caterpillars live in folded, spun leaves of the host plants and also use this shelter for pupation. Patania ruralis hibernates as a caterpillar.Natural enemies:
The caterpillars of Patania ruralis are parasitized by tachinid flies (Tachinidae). Known endoparasitoids are the larvae of Meigenia mutabilis, Nemorilla floralis, Phryxe nemea und Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata. Other parasitoids can be found in the Ichneumonids, Braconids and Chalcidoids.Note:
I found the two 17 mm long pupae in stinging nettle leaves spun together. After opening the leaves shelter, the 2nd pupa moved wildly back and forth and resisted removal. It took quite a while until it calmed down again. After about a week, two male moths hatched on two consecutive days.References, further reading, links:
- Ancylolomia sp.
- Aporodes floralis
- Catoptria sp.
- Prionapteryx lancerotella
- Barred Grass-veneer
- Box Tree Moth
- Brown China-mark
- Cabbage Webworm
- Common Grass-veneer
- Common Purple & Gold
- Dark Marbled Tabby
- Diamond-spot Pearl
- Elder Pearl
- Garden Grass-veneer
- Garden Pebble
- Grass Webworm
- Grass-veneer
- Hook-streaked Grass-Veneer
- Little Grey
- Long-winged Pearl
- Maize Moth
- Meadow Grey
- Mother of Pearl
- Rush Veneer
- Scarce Grass-veneer
- Sesame Leafroller Moth
- Small China-mark
- Small Grey
- Small Magpie
- Small Purple and Gold
- Straw-barred Pearl
- Sulphur Pearl
- Yellow Satin Veneer