Zakázanka
Menu- Welcome to Zakázanka
- In search of bygone eons
- An example of a reverse fault and a crush zone
- Folds
- A fault separating two geological periods
- Iron ore
- Exposed boundary
- What is growing here (1)
- What is growing here (2)
- Little warm lovers
- Sun lovers
- Bedrock
- Fluvial sandy gravels of the vineyard terrace
- Local denizens of the air
- A window into Prague's geological past
- Iron ore on the zoo grounds
- The rock face bears silent witness
- Regeneration of the rocky steppe
Little warm lovers
Invertebrates frequently escape our attention. The rocky steppe is nevertheless unbelievably rich in these "little ones". Tens of species of insects, spiders, bugs and others live here. Even some snails survive the warmest part of the year, hidden deep in their shells.
Striped millipede
Ommatoiulus sabulosus
This is a steppe-dwelling millipede species with distinctive warning coloration on its back in the shape of a double band. Like other millipede species, this one feeds on plant detritus, creating humus.
Crab spider
Xysticus cristatus
This spider lives on the ground and on low plants, where its camouflage makes it blend in perfectly with its surroundings. Usually it sits motionless, lying in wait for its prey; but when it moves, it runs sideways, like a crab.
Scarce Swallowtail
Iphiclides podalirius
This critically endangered butterfly species seeks out sun-drenched slopes covered with blackthorn, hawthorn, and other rosaceous plants. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of these plants, while the adult butterflies sip nectar from their varicolored flowers.
Clearwing moth
Pennisetia bohemica
In the first half of August, an odd-looking butterfly can be seen flitting among shrubs and over herbaceous plants in flower; a butterfly that looks rather like a wasp. It is the clearwing moth Pennisetia bohemica. Its characteristic features include transparent wings and long antennae. The caterpillars invade the roots of the wild brier, where they grow for two years.
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Hemaris fuciformis
In the beginning of summer, this strange-looking butterfly of the hawk moth family (Sphingidae) can be seen flitting about blooming echium plants and sipping their sweet nectar with its long proboscis. It whirs its transparent wings like a hummingbird, so it literally hovers in midair in front of the flower.
