The Bordered Straw
ExploreInsects
The Bordered Straw
heliothis peltigera
The Bordered Straw (Heliothis peltigera) is a fascinating migratory moth belonging to the diverse family Noctuidae. Renowned for its impressive long-distance journeys, this resilient insect travels from its resident breeding grounds in Africa and Southern Europe all the way to Northern Europe during the warmer months. As a highly adaptable species, it thrives in a variety of open habitats, from wild meadows and coastal cliffs to cultivated gardens and agricultural fields. What makes the Bordered Straw particularly interesting is its temperature-dependent development; the climate it experiences during its pupal stage directly dictates the hue of its adult wings, making each moth a living record of its environmental past.
Habitat: Found in a diverse range of open environments, including coastal areas, flowery meadows, gardens, and agricultural margins where its varied host plants grow in abundance.
Appearance
The Bordered Straw is easily recognized by its pale yellowish-brown or sandy 'straw' colored forewings, which span roughly 3.4 to 4.0 centimeters. Its most distinctive markings are a prominent dark, kidney-shaped spot near the leading edge of each forewing and a broad, purplish-brown band running along the outer wing margins. The hindwings are typically paler, featuring a similarly thick dark border and a distinct pale fringe. Depending on the temperature the pupa was exposed to, the overall coloration can vary significantly, with warmer temperatures producing lighter, more sharply patterned moths, and cooler temperatures resulting in darker, more heavily suffused individuals.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNoctuidaeGenusHeliothis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite their delicate appearance, these moths are marathon flyers, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and even the English Channel during their migrations.
The Bordered Straw's appearance acts like a thermometer; pupae exposed to hot weather emerge as pale adults, while cold weather creates dark moths.
The caterpillars are notoriously unpicky eaters and have been recorded feeding on plants from over a dozen different botanical families.
Special abilities
Ability
Long-Distance Migration
Capable of flying thousands of kilometers across continents, migrating from North Africa and Southern Europe to Northern Europe annually.
Ability
Thermal Polyphenism
The adult moth's wing coloration and pattern intensity are directly determined by the ambient temperature experienced during its pupal stage.
Ability
Nocturnal Navigation
Utilizes specialized night-vision capabilities and environmental cues to navigate during its long nocturnal migratory flights.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1-2 cm
- Wingspan
- 3-4 cm
- Weight
- 0.0001-0.0003 kg
- Lifespan
- 0 years
- Clutch Size
- 100-500
- Incubation
- 3-7 days
- Migration Distance
- 3000 km
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars are broadly polyphagous, feeding on the flowers, seeds, and leaves of numerous herbaceous plants, while adults drink nectar.
Age differences: Larvae consume solid plant material such as leaves, flowers, and seedpods, whereas adults possess a proboscis adapted exclusively for drinking liquid nectar.
Primary Foods
- Marigold (Calendula)
- Sticky Groundsel
- Safflower
- Henbane
- Floral Nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
host plant
Pot Marigold
Calendula officinalis
Serves as a primary food source for the developing caterpillars.
eaten by
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Hunts these nocturnal moths on the wing.
host plant
Safflower
Carthamus tinctorius
Agricultural crop frequently targeted and eaten by the larvae.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is The Bordered Straw?
1-2 cm
What is The Bordered Straw's wingspan?
3-4 cm
How much does The Bordered Straw weigh?
0.0001-0.0003 kg
How long does The Bordered Straw live?
0 years
What does The Bordered Straw eat?
Caterpillars are broadly polyphagous, feeding on the flowers, seeds, and leaves of numerous herbaceous plants, while adults drink nectar.
Where is The Bordered Straw usually found?
Found in a diverse range of open environments, including coastal areas, flowery meadows, gardens, and agricultural margins where its varied host plants grow in abundance.
How does The Bordered Straw hunt?
Foraging
How many eggs does The Bordered Straw lay?
100-500
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
.jpg&width=800)
