Arctiidae

The Arctiidae (of the Greek αρκτος = bear) are one of Lépidoptère S Hétérocères whose conspicuous colors prevent the Oiseau X of their toxicity. Their caterpillar S is very hairy (caterpillars hérissonnes).

This family counts approximately 11  000 S in the world of which 6  000 in the écozone néotropicale. About thirty S are represented in France.

One of the essential characteristics in this family is the presence of a resonant body on the level of the mésothorax. This body present of the membranes which, put in vibration, produce ultrasounds. One finds also bodies tympanic which are used for hearing. They are rather largely widespread at the lépidoptères but have a particular structure and a localization at Arctiidae. The setae (superficial body growths) of the caterpillars are particular, just as the nervaison of the wings in the adults. There exists also a pair of glands in the vicinity of the ovipositor of the females (Scobble, 1995).

The sounds are emitted during the coupling (Simmons and Conner, 1996) or are used as means of defense against the predatory ones ((Fullard et al., 1994).

Many species preserve poisonous substances or at the pushing back taste coming from their plant-hosts. Certain species can synthesize their own chemical defense. Like the most common substances, one finds glycosides for cardiac purpose (cardenolides), alkaloids pyrrolizidine, pyrazines and histamines (Weller and Al , 1999). In fact in general the caterpillars absorb the chemical substances which are then preserved at the adult state but the latter can also accumulate some. This protection can be transmitted to eggs and sometimes of the male to the female so that it can protect eggs. The hairs of the caterpillars of certain species are irritant because of histamines which they contain.

Their poisonous character is announced by the bright colors (aposematic protection) of the posterior wings, by pushing back odors, of the unusual postures or in the adults by ultrasounds. Some imitate simply other toxic butterflies or resemble wasps. The emitted ultrasounds make it possible predatory night to learn how to avoid them and can disturb the precision of the echolocation butterflies in flight by the bats (Ratcliffe and Fullard, 2005).

The majority of the caterpillars and the adults are active during the day. Disturbed, the caterpillars are rolled up in spiral (the head towards the center).

Although they can sometimes pullulate, little of species damage produces having an economic importance.

List subfamilies

Some European species

  • Arctia caja - scale marten
  • Arctia villica - farm scale
  • Callimorpha dominula - red scale
  • Euplagia quadripunctaria - clouded scale
  • Parasemia plantaginis - scale of the plantain
  • Pericallia matronula - brown scale

See too

  • Gallery of visual identification

External bonds

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