| Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera (Rungs, 1949)) |
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Scientific name: Amphipyra berbera (Rungs, 1949) Common name: Svensson's Copper Underwing French name: Noctuelle berbère Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Noctuidae Subfamily: Amphipyrinae Wingspan: 47-54 mm Biotope: Forests, parks and gardens. Geographic area: Palearctic area. Flight time: July to September. Number of generations : 1 Caterpillar: Green with many white dots and with a stigmata lateral line interrupted on segments 3 to 5. There is a conical-shaped protruding part on segments 8 to 10 with a reddish point. This triangular point is rather yellowish green on the Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea). Furthermore, the dots located on each side of the dorsal line turn to yellow on the first two segments of Amphipyra pyramidea, while they remain white on Amphipyra berbera. Host plant: Many trees including Oak (Quercus). |
This species was differentiated from the Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidea) only in the XXth century. The fore wings are dark-brown with a bright wavy antemedial line, a black orbicular mark circled with whitish and a toothed postmedian line often more visible than the antemedial line. The subterminal line is reduced to a series of pale dots. The hindwings are copper-coloured. To tell the Svensson's Copper Underwing from the Copper Underwing, you need to look at the angle between the antemedial line and the costal edge of the wing. Amphipyra pyramidea shows a sharp angle (comma shape) while Amphipyra berbera shows an almost right angle. Amphipyra berbera has also a darker inner side on the fore wings and a better marked orbicular patch. These Noctuidae moths over winter as eggs. |
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I have observed this noctuid moth in my compost tank. Looking at the angle of the antemedial line on the costal edge I still have a doubt between Amphipyra pyramidea and Amphipyra berbera. I think I can guess this is not an oblique comma shape but I need confirmation by someone with more experience. |
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This rather immobile noctuid moth allowed me to shoot pictures with different angles of view. Here is a side view. |
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Front view. |
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I have found this Svensson's Copper Underwing, early in the morning, trapped in a water tank. I have put it in a dry place and it has been able to fly away later on. I took the opportunity to delicately lift its fore wings to get a view of the hind wings. |
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I have found this caterpillar while cutting the Privet hedgerow. I have put it on this old wood bench to shoot pictures. The tip of the conical-shaped protruding part appears reddish to me, that's why I think this one is the Svensson's Copper Underwing species. |
André Bon March 2018