This butterfly can hardly be confused with any other. Firstly, the ocellarus is a rather large nocturnal insect, and secondly, its name is determined by a characteristic feature - bright “eyes” located on the hind wings. Our article will talk about this creature.
Butterfly appearance
The eye-shaped shredder got its name thanks to the expressive “eyes” - spots on the hind wings. Unfortunately, this very beautiful butterfly is rarely met. The reasons are not only in the small number of populations, but also because hawks are twilight butterflies. They fly out for walks when people sleep.
Ocular hawthorn has a thick body covered with shaggy nap. When the butterfly rests and its wings are folded, the “eyes” are not visible. Gray-beige and sometimes olive tones predominate in the color of hawks of this species, helping to mask in the twilight. But if the butterfly feels the danger, it immediately spreads its wings, showing round eyes that look like owls. The fat body, pointed at the end, also enhances the impression. Between open wings and "eyes" it becomes very similar to a formidable beak. This maneuver scares away small birds hunting for hawks, because in the place of a harmless insect the face of a formidable predator suddenly appears.
"Blind" fellow
There is akin to the ocular hawthorn species. His representatives also have characteristic marks, but they are weakly colored and almost invisible. This is the name of the blind hawks. They live in the same place as ocular, and lead the same way of life.
Life cycle
Scientists have established that in favorable years two or even three generations of ocular hawks can be born. Moreover, there is no distinction, butterflies from different generations peacefully coexist.
The eye caterpillar caterpillar is presented in the photo in our article. And you can see that this is a true master of disguise. Both the green color and the texture of the skin are subordinate to the safety task - all that is needed to hide among the foliage. Caterpillars are unusually voracious. But this point is quite justified, because at the stage of the adult, ocular hawks do not eat. In adults, there is no oral apparatus at all.
The life span of this beautiful insect is small - less than a year.
Flight Hogger
All hawks, ocular including, are excellent flyers. Experts consider these butterflies to be the fastest among insects. A racing hawk in shape resembles a fighter.
In addition, the ocular hawthorn is unusually hardy. Only a dragonfly can compete with him. Scientists are aware of a case when a specially tagged insect flew without touchdowns from Stavropol to the Moscow Region, covering about 50 kilometers per hour. The butterfly spent about a day on the flight.
Habitat
In another photo you can see the places where the ocular hawthorn is common (they are marked in red). It is noticeable that this butterfly loves temperate zones.
A small population of hawks lives in Transbaikalia. Scientists of the Daursky reserve conduct observations of these insects. At present, the Far Eastern Ophthalmic Hogweed is not listed in the Red Book, but its expressive appearance and large size often attract the attention of both natural enemies and humans. This is cause for concern, so experts monitor the population.