Perizoma bifaciata, the barred rivulet, is a moth in the family of geometer moths (Geometridae). It was first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809.

Barred rivulet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Perizoma
Species:
P. bifaciata
Binomial name
Perizoma bifaciata
(Haworth, 1809)

Description edit

It is small (wingspan 18–21 mm), thin, and more or less brown all over. The forewing' can vary in colour from light golden brown to dark red brown, often with a wide, darker coloured band in the centre, but this can vary. The band is covered on both sides with a wide, doubled, irregular white band. The wings have a white, triangular exterior. The hindwing is grey/white. The larva is light grey/green with short, white patches. See also Prout.[1]

 
,5a,5b,5c larvae after final moult 5d enlarged detail of segments

Life cycle edit

The species has larvae which live near plants such as Odontites and large specimens of Euphrasia, both in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). This species hibernates as pupae, sometimes for many years, which is unusual for geometer moths. The grown butterflies fly in July and August.


Range edit

The species is found in the Palearctic realm.

References edit

  1. ^ Prout, L. B. (1912–16). Geometridae. In A. Seitz (ed.) The Macrolepidoptera of the World. The Palaearctic Geometridae, 4. 479 pp. Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart.pdf   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • Aarvik, Leif, Berggren, Kai, Hansen, Lars Ove. 2000. Norges Sommerfugler. Catalogus Lepidopterorum Norvegiae. Norsk entomologisk forening. 192 pages. ISBN 82-995095-1-3

External links edit