Grøn Køllesværmer (dk)Ängsmetallvinge (se) Synonyms: Metalvinge (dk) Green Forester (gb)
Measurements:
WS:24-32mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SE
Identification:
Small, dark dusty-green forewings. In Denmark can be confused with Kobberbrun Køllesværmer (Rhagades pruni) [Blackthorn Aurora Moth ~ Myrmetallvinge]. The latter, however, has a short yellow rudimental proboscis (sugesnabel) and in general appears more dull.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Europe to Mongolia and western Russia.
Habitat:
Statices in drier warmer fields and heuseri in fresher fields with buttercups.
Behavior:
Statices flies later, peaking around end-juli to start-august whereas heuseri peaks around the shift between June and Juli.
Status:
Common and widespread in Denmark.
Host plants:
Statices on Rødknæ (Rumex acetosella) [Red Sorrel ~ Acetocilla ~ Bergsyra].
Heuseri on Almindelig Syre (Rumex acetosa) [Sorrel ~ Acedera Común ~ Ängssyra].
Two very similar forms exist. Statices and heuseri. Statices has more antenna elements, 38-45, where heuseri has 32-36. This is not usable in the field.
Imago ♂
At first glance I wanted to take it as a pruni [Kobberbrun Køllesværmer]. The bluish cast to the head and the almost green-less wings are good pointers in that direction. But first of the all, the species is not found on Sjælland, yet. Secondly, from certain angles statices can look like this. Of course it would have been conclusive if the proboscis had been visible, short and yellow on pruni, and long and black on statices.