Brahmaea (Acanthobrahmaea) europaea (European owl moth)
An adult male specimen of Brahmaea (Acanthobrahmaea) europaea from the Museum's entomology collection. © Mirella Baldacconi Gondeck
Brahmaea europaea, the European owl moth or Hartig’s bramhaea is an interesting and rare species.
B. europaea was first discovered in 1963 by the Italian entomologist Federico Hartig on Monte Vulture (Mount Vulture), Italy.
The Italian Forestry Commission designated Monte Vulture a nature reserve, 'Grotticelle', to protect the European owl moth.
Species detail
European owl moths fly from the end of March to May, for only a few hours each day, just after sunset. Interestingly, it seems that males start flying before the females, just as dusk begins.
The adults do not feed and rarely live longer than a week, so their short lives consist of trying to avoid predators and find a mate.
Brahmaea europaea is a relict species that has survived from theTertiary period in a relatively protected environment.
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Taxonomy
Discover the taxonomy of the European owl moth, including why some recent authors have placed the species in a separate genus, Acanthobrahmaea.
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Distribution
Read more about the discovery of Brahmaea europaea, where it is found and the species it is related to.
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Life cycle
Learn about the life cycle of the short-living Brahmaea europaea.
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Conservation
Brahmaea europaea is protected in a designated reserve and yet is still threatened by a number of factors. Read about current conservation efforts to protect this moth as well as suggested solutions.
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References
Get reference information.
