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.
This species can be found in Europe.[5] The species is fairly common in the southern half of Britain.[citation needed] In Scotland, it is common in the west but not in the east of the country.[1] It is most frequently found in marshy places, fens and riversides but may also be seen in drier, grassy terrain.[6][7]
Status
In a recent survey[citation needed] 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.[7] Females have slightly serrated antennae, while male have deeply combed antennae.[8]
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.[6]
Biology
This nocturnal moth flies from June to August depending on the location. Males especially are attracted to light.[6][7] The females lay their eggs in small clusters, mainly on the stem of grasses or reeds.[8] The larvae feed on various grasses and reeds (Alopecurus, Deschampsia, Dactylis, Elytrigia, Carex, Luzula and other Gramineae).[9]
^ abInsight.com/drinker-moth-euthrix-potatoria-bf-1640/ Wildliifeinsight[permanent dead link]
^Paolo Mazzei, Daniel Morel, Raniero Panfili Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Euthrix potatoria.
Lepiforum.de
Schmetterling-raupe.de
January 11, 2023
euthrix, potatoria, drinker, orange, brown, moth, family, lasiocampidae, drinker, malefemalescientific, classificationkingdom, animaliaphylum, arthropodaclass, insectaorder, lepidopterafamily, lasiocampidaegenus, euthrixspecies, potatoriabinomial, name, linnae. Euthrix potatoria the drinker is an orange brown moth of the family Lasiocampidae 1 DrinkerEuthrix potatoria MaleFemaleScientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaClass InsectaOrder LepidopteraFamily LasiocampidaeGenus EuthrixSpecies E potatoriaBinomial nameEuthrix potatoria Linnaeus 1758 SynonymsPhiludoria potatoriaCaterpillar The species common and scientific names derive from the larva s supposed drinking of drops of dew 2 Contents 1 Name 2 Subspecies 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Status 5 Description 5 1 Imago 5 2 Larvae and pupae 6 Biology 7 Gallery 8 References 9 External linksName EditThe 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 EditSubspecies include 1 Euthrix potatoria mikado Bryk Euthrix potatoria potatoria Linnaeus 1758 Distribution and habitat EditThis species can be found in Europe 5 The species is fairly common in the southern half of Britain citation needed In Scotland it is common in the west but not in the east of the country 1 It is most frequently found in marshy places fens and riversides but may also be seen in drier grassy terrain 6 7 Status EditIn a recent survey citation needed to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common Description EditImago Edit 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 7 Females have slightly serrated antennae while male have deeply combed antennae 8 Larvae and pupae Edit 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 6 Biology EditThis nocturnal moth flies from June to August depending on the location Males especially are attracted to light 6 7 The females lay their eggs in small clusters mainly on the stem of grasses or reeds 8 The larvae feed on various grasses and reeds Alopecurus Deschampsia Dactylis Elytrigia Carex Luzula and other Gramineae 9 Gallery Edit Drinker moth caterpillar eating grass Caterpillar Caterpillar ventral Mounted specimen Male FemaleReferences Edit a b Biolib The Drinker Euthrix potatoria UK Moths Retrieved 18 June 2014 Goedaert J 1660 Metamorphosis naturalis Middelburgh Jaques Fierens p 47 Beelen H amp Van der Sijs N 2018 Natneus molenaar hypocriet Insectennamen uit de zeventiende eeuw Onze Taal 2018 7 8 26 27 Fauna europaea a b c Ford R L E 1963 Larger British Moths Frederick Warne a b c UK Moths a b Insight com drinker moth euthrix potatoria bf 1640 Wildliifeinsight permanent dead link Paolo Mazzei Daniel Morel Raniero Panfili Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North AfricaExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Euthrix potatoria Lepiforum de Schmetterling raupe de Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Euthrix potatoria amp oldid 1094259609, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
![[1]](http://eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk/freqmaps/1640.GIF){kind=link}