CALLIMORPHA JACOBEAE Meaning and
Definition
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Callimorpha jacobeae, commonly known as the Cinnabar moth, is a species of moth belonging to the family Erebidae. It is widely distributed throughout Europe, including the United Kingdom, as well as parts of Asia and North Africa. The name "Callimorpha" is derived from the Greek words "kallos" meaning beautiful and "morphē" meaning form, referring to the vibrant and distinct appearance of the moth.
The Cinnabar moth is known for its striking coloration and pattern. It has bright red or orange-red forewings marked with bold black transverse bands or spots, resembling the vibrant hues of the mineral cinnabar. The hindwings are black with a row of red spots along the outer edge. The adult moth typically has a wingspan of about 32 to 42 mm.
The caterpillars of Callimorpha jacobeae are equally remarkable. They have a distinctive black body adorned with bright orange-red or sometimes yellow-orange transverse stripes. The larvae mainly feed on the leaves of the common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and other related plants, which contain toxic alkaloids that they can tolerate and store within their bodies. This unique adaptation enables them to become poisonous to predators, advertising their toxicity through their warning coloration.
The Cinnabar moth is not only admired for its visually appealing appearance but also valued for its role as a natural biocontrol agent. The caterpillars of this species can significantly reduce the spread of the common ragwort, a noxious weed that can be harmful to livestock if ingested in large quantities. Consequently, the Cinnabar moth has been intentionally introduced in some areas as a means of managing the invasive plant species.
Common Misspellings for CALLIMORPHA JACOBEAE
- xallimorpha jacobeae
- vallimorpha jacobeae
- fallimorpha jacobeae
- dallimorpha jacobeae
- czllimorpha jacobeae
- csllimorpha jacobeae
- cwllimorpha jacobeae
- cqllimorpha jacobeae
- caklimorpha jacobeae
- caplimorpha jacobeae
- caolimorpha jacobeae
- calkimorpha jacobeae
- calpimorpha jacobeae
- caloimorpha jacobeae
- callumorpha jacobeae
- calljmorpha jacobeae
- callkmorpha jacobeae
- callomorpha jacobeae
- call9morpha jacobeae
Etymology of CALLIMORPHA JACOBEAE
The word "Callimorpha Jacobeae" is not derived from etymology, but rather from taxonomy. "Callimorpha" is a genus name within the family Erebidae, and "Jacobeae" is the species name for a specific moth within that genus. These names are typically a combination of various elements derived from Latin or Greek roots, but the etymology of the specific word "Callimorpha" or "Jacobeae" is not known.
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