Calyptra (moth)
| Calyptra | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Tribe: | Calpini |
| Genus: |
Calyptra Ochsenheimer, 1816 |
| Synonyms | |
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The genus Calyptra is a group of moths in subfamily Calpinae of the family Erebidae. They are a member of the Calpini tribe, whose precise circumscription is uncertain but which includes a number of other fruit-piercing or eye-frequenting genera currently classified in Calpinae.
The common name of many of these species, vampire moth, refers to the habit that they have of drinking blood from vertebrates. According to a recent study, some of them (C. thalictri) are even capable of drinking human blood through skin. However, the moths are not thought to cause any threat to humans.
Some species of this genus have been classified with genus name Calpe, and they include more than one blood-sucker.
Palpi porrect, where the second joint and third joint fringed below with very long hair. The frontal tuft large. Metathorax with very slight tufts. Abdomen with coarse hair on dorsum. Tibia spineless, but slightly hairy. Fore wings with slightly arched costa. Apex acute, outer margin excurved at vein 3. The inner margin lobed near base and at outer angle. Larva with three pairs of abdominal prolegs.
These insects have been changing their habitat in recent years. The species Calyptra thalictri was originally native to Malaysia, the Urals and Southern Europe, but has been turning up in northern Europe. In 2000, they were observed in Finland and in 2008 they were seen further west in Sweden. The Swedish observation was in Skutskär north of the capital Stockholm whilst the sightings in Finland have been more numerous. It is found in southern Finland, in particular in the south east.
The moth Calyptra thalictri has been seen to be associated with the plant meadow-rue.
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Wikipedia