Calyptra thalictri
File:Calyptra thalictri.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Subfamily:
Calpinae
Genus:
Calyptra
Species:
C. thalictri
Binomial name
Calyptra thalictri
(Borkhausen, 1790)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena thalictri Borkhausen, 1790
  • Calpe sodalis Butler, 1878
  • Calpe capuzina var. centralitalica Dannehl, 1925
  • Calpe capucina pallida Schwingenschuss, 1938

Calyptra thalictri is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is native to the area ranging from Japan and Korea, south to China and Malaysia, west through the Urals to Southern Europe,[1] but it has recently expanded it’s range to northern Europe. In 2000, it was observed in Finland and in 2008 it was recorded even further west, in Sweden[2].

It is often referred to as the Vampire Moth (although this common name is also used for other members of the Calyptra genus), referring to their ability to drink blood from vertebrates, including humans, through skin.[3][4] However, the moths are not thought to cause any threat to humans.[2]

The wingspan is 40-45 mm. The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Thalictrum species.

References

  1. ^ Vampire moth turns up in Finland, The Guardian, 4 June, 2007, accessed 20 October 2008
  2. ^ a b Vampire moth turns up in Sweden, Peter Vinthagen Simpson, The local, 29 July 2008, accessed 20 October 2008
  3. ^ article, epl.ee, Estonian, accessed 20 October 2008
  4. ^ Picture of thumb being pierced Worlds weirdest moths, accessed 20 October 2008
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