Biology:Euthrix potatoria

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Short description: Species of moth

Euthrix potatoria
Male
Female
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lasiocampidae
Genus: Euthrix
Species:
E. potatoria
Binomial name
Euthrix potatoria
Synonyms
  • Philudoria potatoria
Caterpillar

Euthrix potatoria, the drinker, is an orange-brown moth of the family Lasiocampidae.[1]

The species' common and scientific names derive from the larva's supposed drinking of drops of dew.[2]

Name

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.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[1]

  • Euthrix potatoria mikado Bryk
  • Euthrix potatoria potatoria (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in Europe.[5] The species is fairly common in the southern half of Britain. In Scotland, it is common in the west but not in the east of the country.[6] It is most frequently found in marshy places, fens and riversides but may also be seen in drier, grassy terrain.[7][2]

Description

Imago

The imago has a wingspan of 4.5–6.5 cm (1.8–2.6 in). The yellowish females are slightly larger than the orange-brown male but both sexes usually show the two distinctive white spots on the forewing.[2] Females have slightly serrated antennae, while male have deeply combed antennae.[8]

Larvae and pupae

The fully grown larva is about 6 cm (2.4 in) 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.[7]

Biology

This nocturnal moth flies from June to August depending on the location. Males especially are attracted to light.[7][2] 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, Elymus (syn. Elytrigia), Carex, Luzula and other Gramineae).[9]

  • Drinker moth caterpillar eating grass.
    Drinker moth caterpillar eating grass.
  • Caterpillar
    Caterpillar
  • Caterpillar (ventral)
    Caterpillar (ventral)
  • Mounted specimen. Male
    Mounted specimen. Male
  • Female
    Female

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Euthrix potatoria (Drinker)". https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id51118/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "The Drinker". Ian Kimber. https://ukmoths.org.uk/species/euthrix-potatoria/. 
  3. ↑ Goedaert, Johannem (1662) (in Dutch). Metamorphosis naturalis. Middelburgh: Jaques Fierens. p. 47. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.15828. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/159388#page/114/. Retrieved 2025-05-27. "Ick heb hem den dronckaerdt ghenaempt om dat hy feer tot het drincken genegen was. [I called him the "drunkard" because he was very fond of drinking.]" 
  4. ↑ Beelen, Hans; van der Sijs, Nicoline (2018). "Natneus, molenaar, hypocriet. Insectennamen uit de zeventiende eeuw." (in Dutch). Onze Taal (The Hague: Genootschap Onze Taal) (7/8): 26-27. https://pure.knaw.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/7000356/2018_Beelen_Sijs_Insectennamen_uit_de_17e_eeuw_Onze_taal_7_8.pdf. Retrieved 2025-05-27. 
  5. ↑ "Euthrix potatoria (Linnaeus 1758) - Taxon Details". Berlin: Fauna Europaea. 2013-08-29. http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=443476. 
  6. ↑ "Scottish Moth Flight Times and Distribution Maps - East Scotland branch". Wareham, Dorset: Butterfly Conservation. 2022-11-03. Code 66.010 (1640). https://eastscotland-butterflies.org.uk/quantitymaps/1640.GIF. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ford, R.L.E. (1974). The Observer's Book of Larger Moths. London: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.. pp. 223. ISBN 0723215340. https://archive.org/details/observersbookofl0000ford. Retrieved 2025-05-27. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Drinker moth (Euthrix potatoria)". Falmouth, UK: Claire & Steve Ogden. 2015-03-28. http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/drinker-moth-euthrix-potatoria-bf-1640. 
  9. ↑ Mazzei, Paolo; Morel, Daniel; Panfili, Raniero. "Euthrix potatoria (Linnaeus, 1758)". Rome. http://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/EuthrPotat.htm. 

Wikidata ☰ Q261060 entry



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