mosopia is a genus of moths of the noctuidae family .

it is found in south-east asia , including thailand , borneo and malaysia .

the genus was first described by francis walker in 1866 from a specimen in the british museum .

the specimen walker describes was from penang in malaysia .

walker gave mosopia megaspila as a type species .

this species has a wingspan of 39 millimetres ( 1.5 in ) with a large distinctive black spot in the middle of each forewings ( hence the name megaspila , which means " large spotted " ) .

there are three other species classified under the mosopia genus .

mosopia

mosopia <EOT> mosopia eudoxusalis ; [ poole ] ; [ mob17 ] , 59 , f . 138 , 154 , pl . 2

mosopia megaspila walker , [ 1866 ] ; list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . 34 : 1188 ; tl : penang

genus : mosopia walker , 1866 . list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . ( 34 ) : 1187 . [ bhl ]

type - species : mosopia megaspila walker , 1866 . list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . : 1188 . [ bhl ]

mosopia kononenkoi holloway , 2008 ; moths of borneo 17 : 60 , f . 139 , 153 , pl . 2 ; tl : sabah , brumas

mosopia megaspila ; holloway , 1976 , moths of borneo with special reference to mt . kinabalu : 40 ; [ poole ] ; [ mob17 ] , 58 , f . 142 , 152 , pl . 2

mosopia pallidusalis holloway , 2008 ; moths of borneo 17 : 59 , f . 137 , 157 , pl . 2 ; tl : sarawak , gunong mulu nat . park , r . g . s . exped .

html public " - / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en " " urltoken "

type specimens : holotype - male [ west malaysia ] : [ malaya ] , penang , ( bmnh , london ) . .

we use cookies to optimise your experience when using this site . view our cookie policy and our new privacy notice .

bertula sp . ; kononenko & pinratana , 2005 , moths of thailand 3 : pl . 1 , f . 33

trotosema sordidum butler , 1879 ; ann . mag . nat . hist . ( 5 ) 4 ( 24 ) : 449 ; tl : near yokohama

[ maps ] warning ! the maps are automatically generated from the textual information , and the process does not always produce acceptable result ; see about maps for more info .

list of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the british museum . supplement

walker , [ 1866 ] list of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the british museum list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . 31 : 1 - 322 ( [ 1865 ] ) , 32 : 323 - 706 ( 1865 ) , 33 : 707 - 1120 ( 1865 ) , 34 : 1121 - 1534 ( [ 1866 ] ) , 35 : 1535 - 2040 ( 1866 )

if you have corrections , comments or information to add into these pages , just send mail to markku savela keep in mind that the taxonomic information is copied from various sources , and may include many inaccuracies . expert help is welcome .

confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .

to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .

disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .

this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .

our website has detected that you are using an outdated insecure browser that will prevent you from using the site . we suggest you upgrade to a modern browser .

nomenclator zoologicus . a list of the names of genera and subgenera in zoology from the tenth edition of linnaeus , 1758 to the end of 2004 . digitised by ubio from vols . 1 - 9 of neave ( ed . ) , 1939 - 1996 plus supplementary digital - only volume . urltoken ( as at 2006 ) .

encyclo . co . uk , online since 2007 , is a search engine for english meanings and definitions . the website aims to publish all wordlists , big and small , on the internet , making it much easier to find the word you need . follow us on facebook

a taxon identifier is composed of name , author , year and attribute , all separated by a blank . these are all extracted from the original publication .

the name is reproduced exactly as proposed in the original publication . the name of a genus is made up of one word and species made up of two words ( genus and species ) separated by a blank .

the author ' s name is made up of a string of letters , with no blanks , and multiple authors ' names are separated by a comma . spelling of author ' s name is based on the original publication . if there are more than three authors , only the names of the first two authors are shown , followed by " , + " and the number of omitted authors .

attribute is enclosed in square brackets . this is rarely needed , but to differentiate homo - identifiers , this will contain the page , line or plate number of original publication .

all diacritic marks , hyphens , and apostrophes are eliminated , thus only the following characters are used : a to z , a to z , 0 to 9 , blank , comma , and opening and closing square brackets . although upper and lower cases are used for the convenience of human recognition , it is not case sensitive .

created by dicky sick ki yu 1997 - 2012 please send me information about errors and omissions ( contact information ) with supporting references , possibly with pdf or hard copy .


the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) , or simply weasel in the uk , is the smallest member of the genus mustela and of the family mustelidae ( as well as the smallest of the carnivora ) , native to eurasia , north america and north africa , though it has been introduced to new zealand , australia , malta , crete , bermuda , madeira island , the azores , the canary islands , sao tome , the falkland islands , argentina and chile .

it is classed as being of least concern by the iucn , due to its wide distribution and presumed large population .

least weasels from various parts of its range vary greatly in size .

the body is slender and elongated and the legs and tail are relatively short .

the colour varies geographically , as does the pelage type and length of tail .

the dorsal surface , flanks , limbs and tail of the animal are usually some shade of brown while the underparts are white .

the line delineating the boundary between the two colours is usually straight .

at high altitudes and in the northern part of its range , the coat becomes pure white in winter .

eighteen subspecies are recognised .

small rodents form the largest part of the least weasel 's diet , but it also kills and eats rabbits , other mammals , and occasionally birds , birds ' eggs , fish and frogs .

males mark their territories with olfactory signals and have exclusive home ranges which may intersect with or include several female ranges .

least weasels use pre-existing holes to sleep , store food and raise their young .

breeding takes place in the spring and summer , and there is a single litter of about six kits which are reared exclusively by the female .

due to its small size and fierce nature , the least weasel plays an important part in the mythology and legend of various cultures .

least weasel

least weasel <EOT> " least weasel " wildlife explorer . international masters publishers ab , 1998 , usa .

the least weasel has wide distribution and presumed large population , but no estimate of population size is available for this species . currently the least weasel is classified as least concern ( lc ) and their numbers today remain stable .

the white winter fur of the least weasel glows a bright lavender color when under ultraviolet light .

to read more about weasel folklore and legends , check out the way of the weasel .

there are two species of weasels native to indiana : the long - tailed weasel ( mustela frenata ) and the least weasel ( mustela rixosa ) .

through much of its european range , the least weasel overlaps with the somewhat larger but otherwise similar stoat .

erratum to : origin and introduction history of the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) on mediterranean a . . .

deep in the woods of the northeast asian deciduous forest roams the least weasel . its long slender body and sharp nails help this mammal hunt day and night . the least weasel is the smallest carnivore in the world . the least weasel ' s habitat consists of living in stone walls , hedges , farmland , and the woods . least weasels avoid deep forests , sandy deserts , and open spaces . male and female least weasels both have their own territory . females

lechleitner , r . r . 1954 . least weasel in glacier national park . j . mammal . 35 : 594 .

sundell , j . 2003 . reproduction of the least weasel in captivity : basic observations and the influence of food availability .

fictional weasel characters created within the fandom include supermegatopia ' s weasel boy and tracy kazaleh ' s shadow and miniver .

the species can also be differentiated by their tail ; the long - tailed weasel has a black tipped tail , while the tip of least weasel ' s tail is brown in summer .

= = predators and competitors = = the least weasel is small enough to be preyed upon by a range of other predators .

weasels are the most characteristic members of the zoological family mustelidae , which itself is commonly called the " weasel family " . the least weasel is the smallest member of the zoological order carnivora .

weasels are mammals in the genus mustela of the mustelidae family . originally , the name " weasel " was applied to one species of the genus , the european form of the least weasel .

the least weasel has a variety of habitats including meadows , fields , brushy areas , and open woods . it avoids dense forests .

because of its tiny size there is little commercial value in least weasel fur , though trapping one is thought to bring good luck .

as rodent predators , least weasels help maintain rodent populations . this is especially important in the tundra ecosystem , where least weasels help keep lemming populations in check . bird species in new zealand , where least weasels were introduced , are negatively affected by weasel predation , especially ground - dwelling

= = = predators and competitors = = = the least weasel is small enough to be preyed upon by a range of other predators .

the least weasel ' s diet consists of mice , rats , moles , small birds , bird ' s eggs , rabbits , and poultry . the least weasel ' s claws and sharp teeth help this animal to catch their prey . the least weasel is the smallest carnivore in the world . it can kill prey up to 5 times its own size . the least weasel ' s predators are large hawks and owls . this animal benefits our environment because it kills rodents to keep the population low . one way a least weasel helps itself survive in its environment is its coat and how it changes to blend in with the snow . the least weasel is not endangered but more of them are dying because the loggers are pushing them out of their home . this animal has basically no predators but because of its short life span its not overpopulated .

what ' s in a name ? the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) is the smallest member of the weasel genus , mustela and indeed the smallest living carnivore . in britain it is known simply as the weasel , and this is the original use of the word .

least weasels are effective rodent predators . by preying on rodents , which can transmit disease , eat economically valuable crops , and cause extensive property damage , humans directly benefit both economically and health - wise from least weasels . trappers are also able to benefit from least weasels caught in traps set for larger animals . least weasel pelts are not very valuable in canada , but some weasel pelts are used as lining and trim on coats and mittens .

phylogeographic variation in two mustelines , the least weasel mustela nivalis and the ermine m . erminea of japan , based on mitochondrial dna control region sequences

named the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) for its small size among weasels , it is still a proficient hunter throughout much of the northern hemisphere .

economic value the fur of the least weasel is seldom taken and is so small that it is of little or no value in the fur trade .

there are three species of weasels in minnesota , the short - tailed weasel ( mustela erminea ) , the long - tailed weasel ( mustela ( renata , and the least weasel . all belong to a family of mostly long , narrow " tube - shaped " animals in the family mustelidae .

in winter the coat of the least weasel turns entirely white . though soft , the fur lacks the silky elegance of the short - tailed weasel , or ermine , whose coat was coveted by native americans and european royalty .

in english - language popular culture in particular , the term ' weasel ' is associated with devious characters . a cartoon shown on cartoon network is entitled ' i am weasel ' , whose main character is a weasel . two pokémon are based on the weasel , buizel and floatzel .

beyond the " true weasels " comprising mustela , the name weasel also is used for various species in other genera in mustelidae , notably the patagonian weasel ( lyncodon patagonicus ) , the libyan striped weasel ( poecilictus libyca ) , and the white - naped weasel ( poecilogale albinucha ) .

stromberg , m . r . 1981 . new record of the least weasel in wyoming . prairie nat . 13 ( 2 ) : 45 - 46 .

constitute much of a least weasel’s diet in more southern populations ; almost 100 percent of a weasel ' s diet is made up of rodents if they are abundant . when rodents are scarce , least weasels will also feed upon birds’ eggs , lizards , amphibians , small fish , and invertebrates . rodents , especially

the least weasel , leads a solitary lifestyle except for when breeding . though the least weasel is sometimes visible in the daytime , it’s most active at night . both male and female least weasels defend their territories from others of the same sex , according to the minnesota department of natural resources . a single least weasel ' s territory can span up to 24 . 3 hectares , which they establish by giving off pungent odors from their anal glands . when threatened the least weaselit produces a loud , harsh chirp or screech , and assumes a " weasel war dance " . this dance is characterized by leaps , twists , barks , and arching of the back . when it’s with a mate or summoning young ones , it least weasels may produce a low trill . the least weasel is the world ' s smallest carnivore , and is preyed upon by such other , larger predators as snakes , hawks , owls , foxes , coyotes , and house cats .

to cite this page for personal use : least weasel . [ online ] . natural history notebooks . canadian museum of nature . last updated ( web site consulted

the fur of the least weasel fluoresces ( glows ) in ultraviolet light . weasels have voracious appetites , and the least weasel eats about 30 percent of its weight each day . because weasels have a high surface area to weight ratio , they conserve body heat in winter by curling into a ball and lowering their metabolism .

= = = territorial and social behaviours = = = the least weasel has a typical mustelid territorial pattern , consisting of exclusive male ranges encompassing multiple female ranges .

newell , toni lynn . " mustela nivalis ( least weasel ) : narrative " , urltoken m . _ nivalis $ narrative . html ( 12 / 02 )

comparative phylogeography of the endemic japanese weasel ( mustela itatsi ) and the continental siberian weasel ( m . sibirica ) , revealed by complete mitochondrial genome sequences

in addition to the better known species , there are a large number of exotic and obscure weasel species such as mustela sibirica ( the kolinsky , or siberian weasel ) and poecilogale albinucha ( the north african striped weasel ) .

though a ruthless hunter , the least weasel does play an important role in its surroundings . its feverish hunting reduces rodent population which benefits nearby agricultural fields . there is also no need to worry about overpopulation , especially in indiana . historical trapping , habitat loss and land development has kept the least weasel population small in our state for many years . the least weasel has a short lifespan , but it is also a species of special concern in the state as it is very rare . today , least weasels are only found in the grassy fields or marshes of northern indiana .

in the northern arctic regions , are vitally important for weasel reproductive success . least weasel reproduction is tightly interconnected with lemming abundance , as there are not many other prey species for northern populations of least weasels . northern populations of weasels cycle more apparently than those found in southern populations due to the strong food requirements placed upon lemmings , which also undergo population cycling ; however , least weasel populations naturally peak and subside , even with alternative food sources available , like populations in more southern regions .

, and other birds of prey , such as falcons , eagles , and hawks . least weasels may also be preyed upon by other larger weasel species , such as

as a small carnivore , the least weasel ' s main food sources are small rodents , such as mice , bank voles , and field voles . in a day , a least weasel can eat 1 to 1½ mice , totaling more than half of its own body weight . still , the least weasel is an opportunistic predator that will also eat small fish , birds , insects , lizards , and birds ' eggs . when the least weasel encounters its prey , it swiftly grabs it by the back of the head , and bites through its skull in quick succession . after about 30 seconds , the prey dies . after eating to its fill , least weasels store excess food in their burrow , to ensure that they have food for the future .

: the least weasel appears restricted to the northeast and north - central portions of the state . it is found most commonly in meadows and grasslands , reaching its greatest grasslands , reaching its greatest abundance in marshy areas , and is least common in woodlands .

breeding interval least weasels breed one to three times per year , depending on prey density .

least weasels are effective rodent predators . by preying on rodents , which can transmit disease , eat economically valuable crops , and cause extensive property damage , humans directly benefit both economically and health - wise from least weasels . trappers are also able to benefit , albeit not strongly , from least weasels caught as bycatch in traps set for larger fur - bearers . least weasel pelts do not have substantial economic value in canada , but some weasel pelts are used as lining and trim on garments such as luxury coats and mittens .

don ' t let his size fool you ! watch the least weasel take down his prey in this clip from the secret life of predators on the national geographic channel .

henttonen h . 1987 . the impact of spacing behaviour in microtine rodents on the dynamics of the least weasel & # x2014 ; a hypothesis . oikos 50 : 366–370 .

characteristics the least weasel is considerable smaller , with a very short tail , and males may measure up to 8 inches in length , while females measure about 6 inches .

the least weasel may have three to ten young , but averages five which may be born at any time of the year but most frequently are born in late winter .

mcdonald , r . a . 2013 . mustela nivalis least weasel ( common weasel ) / mustela subpalmata egyptian weasel . in : j . kingdon and m . hoffmann ( eds ) , the mammals of africa . volume v : carnivores , pangolins , equids and rhinoceroses , pp . 85 - 87 . bloomsbury publishing , london .

the coat of the least weasel , as with all weasels , will turn white in the winter . least weasels are found only in the northern part of the state and are more likely to turn completely white . species found in warmer climates will stay partially brown .

more general myths about the weasel are equally unkind to the poor little creature .

the kamaitachi ( " sickle weasel " ) is a supernatural japanese weasel which moves too fast to be seen and attacks by cutting its victims with a sickle .

blomquist l . , muuronen p . and rantanen v . 1981 . breeding the least weasel in helsinki zoo . zoologische garten n . f . , jena 51 : 363–368 .

least weasels are very aggressive and will defend their territory , attacking much bigger animals when necessary .

most interesting about the least weasel is that it is the smallest carnivore . it is amazing that something so small can kill something so much bigger than it can . its habitat and biome , the northeast asian deciduous forest , is endangered . the least weasels are fleeing from their homes and drowning in oceans trying to get away from the loggers . if we try to preserve the northeast asian deciduous forest we can help the least weasel from being extinct .

" montana field guides , least weasel . " urltoken . montana natural heritage program & montana fish , wildlife and parks , n . d . web . 11 feb . 2013 .

length : the short - tailed weasel measures seven to 14 inches . the long - tailed weasel is slightly larger , about 16 inches , and has a longer tail .

the weasel pre - breeding season population is estimated to be 450 , 000 adults .

individuals adopting weasel persona characters include cargo , micole , sebkha , and silent red .

swanson , e . , and p . o . fryklund . 1935 . the least weasel in minnesota and its fluctuation in numbers . the american midland naturalist 16 : 120 - 126 .

while they are not considered rare in north america , least weasels are more common in europe and asia , and are not globally threatened . as a whole , populations of least weasels are considered stable .

and other livestock , there is little proof to suggest that least weasels prey upon any domestic livestock .

least weasels , as highly - skilled rodent predators , play an important role in maintaining or initiating cycles in rodent populations . rodent cycling is a vital component of the tundra ecosystem and specialized predators , such as least weasels , are helpful for keeping lemming populations in check . bird species in new zealand , where least weasels were introduced , are negatively affected by weasel predation , especially ground - dwelling

the long - tailed weasel is larger in size with males ranging anywhere from 14 to 16 inches long and weighing 3 to 7 ounces . least weasel males range from 8 to 9 inches long and weigh about 2 ounces . males of both species are larger than the females .

the least weasel ' s range in north america stretches from alaska southeast through canada and into the northcentral and northeastern united states , probably including the entire state of minnesota ( hazard 1982 ) . however , most records of this species in minnesota come from the northwestern portion of the state . once considered secure in the state , only one least weasel has been recorded in minnesota since 1967 despite extensive survey work in suitable habitats . competition from ermines ( mustela erminea ) , a related and more common weasel , may be a contributing factor to the rarity of least weasels . other factors which may pose a threat to this species include habitat and prey loss , poisoning , and predation . the least weasel was listed as a special concern species in minnesota in 1996 .

some people say the weasel is enchanted . some say it is very unlucky to destroy a weasel . here is a story i heard which was told to me as true .

the least weasel mustela nivalis and the ermine m . erminea of japan are considered relicts of the last glacial period . to study phylogeographic variation in these mustelines , fragments of the [ … ]

remember the open spaces under roof rafters and check for holes where siding has rotted—any opening big enough for a rat will give easy access to a least weasel , smallest of all true carnivores .

taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial dna .

long , a . charles , weasel world book # 21 2000 by world book inc .

the least weasel becomes sexually mature at 3 - 4 months . their mating seasons are spring and summer with a gestation period lasting from 35 - 37 days . the least weasel has 3 - 10 babies , weighing 0 . 04 to 0 . 06 ounces , and are wrinkled , pink and naked . they have no abilities . the mother raises the young by herself while the father leaves right after mating . the baby least weasels are weaned at four to five weeks and the mother hunts for them until they are 4 weeks old . at that time the training of adulthood begin s . the least weasels are fully independent at 12 weeks old , at which time they leave their family . the least weasel ' s interval is its den and it is mostly solitary . these mammals live up to 2 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity . least weasels are active day and night .

and other avian livestock , there is little proof to suggest that least weasels prey upon any domestic livestock .

least weasels , like many other weasel species , are able to kill prey much larger than themselves , then store the remains . least weasels mostly hunt rodents , if they are available , almost 100 percent of their diet will be made up of rodents , however , they will not overlook an easy meal .

one employee thought he had the answer . in 1953 , roger m . latham wrote a letter to the journal of mammalogy [ pdf ] , announcing a “simple method for identification of least weasel . ”

how often does reproduction occur ? least weasels breed one to three times per year , depending on prey density .

least weasels and stoats looks very alike but can be told apart by the stoat’s tail having a black tip .

taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial . . .

mi ' kmaq legends about two weasel - women who married stars , and their subsequent travels .

the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) is a small mustelid with a distribution restricted to the lower nile valley and the nile delta . traditionally considered a subspecies of the least weasel ( m . nivalis ) , it is currently recognized as a separate species based on morphology . here we present the first genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of the egyptian weasel by comparing . . . [ show full abstract ]

all three species can be found state - wide , but the least weasel is the least abundant , especially in northeastern minnesota . weasels can be found anywhere that their main prey , mice , are found . typical habitats are grasslands , woodlots , and brush piles . weasels can also be found in firewood piles and garages .

the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) is a small mustelid with a distribution restricted to the lower nile valley and the nile delta . traditionally considered a subspecies of the least weasel ( m . nivalis ) , it is currently recognized as a separate species based on morphology . here we present the first genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of the egyptian weasel by comparing mitochondrial dna ( cytochrome b gene and control region ) sequences to those of least weasels from the western palearctic , with a focus on the mediterranean region . our results provide no evidence to support the view that the egyptian weasel is genetically distinct from the least weasel , as we found that , for both cytochrome b and control region , haplotypes were shared between the two taxa . specifically , the cytochrome b and control region haplotypes detected in the egyptian weasel were also present in m . nivalis from turkey and malta , two populations genetically analysed here for the first time . our results suggest that the egyptian weasel is distinct from the least weasel populations currently living in the maghreb , which were inferred to be the result of an earlier colonization of north africa , but the genetic data alone do not allow us to determine whether the egyptian weasel is native or introduced . nevertheless , the observed genetic patterns , together with the weasel fossil record in israel and the unique commensal lifestyle of the egyptian weasel , are consistent with the hypothesis that the egyptian population is a relict of past range expansion from the levant into egypt . we suggest that the large size and characteristic sexual dimorphism of the egyptian weasel are likely to represent ecotypic variation , but genomic studies are required to clarify the extent of its functional genetic divergence .

nyholm , e . 1972 . weasel . pp . 187 - 199 in l siivonen , ed .

the weasel ( mustela nivalis ) is the smallest member of the mustelid family and britains smallest carnivore .

the long - tailed weasel is of economic importance , as many are taken by trappers each year .

it’s really very fascinating so for those of you who’d like to know more about weasel & taboo and the origins of the word ‘weasel’ in many different languages , you can read the pdf file here .

sexual maturity begins from 3 to 4 months for the female least weasel when food is plentiful . females sexually mature more rapidly , while males achieve maturity at around 8 or 9 months , according to animal diversity . breeding may occur all year round , though incidences of mating are less frequent during the winter . both sexes of least weasels will mate with multiple partners . males and females defend their territory when mating , but afterwards the male will leave to look for other females " in heat " . the least weasel ' s gestation period lasts about 35 days , after which the female gives birth to on average to 4 to 5 kits per litter . according to animal diversity , the least weasel ' s lifespan is 1 to 2 years in the wild , significantly shorter than many other carnivores .

in zoological use " weasel " on its own is now more usually applied to the genus , and in north america it is used as a common name for a number of species . however , most literary references to weasels are in fact to the least weasel . the sinister weasels of the wind in the willows , for example , are mustela nivalis , and so is the weasel that goes " pop " in the nursery rhyme .

general description : weasels are small , elongated predators that are brown in the summer , but that turn white in the winter . the short - tailed and long - tailed weasels have a black - tipped tail , while the least weasel is completely white . during spring and fall , as they change color , weasel fur appears blotchy .

it is impossible to catch a weasel asleep ; and it is bad luck if one crosses your path and appears near your home making its distinctive squeaking sound . the scots have a strange myth about a weasel funeral – the story was from the museum of lead mining ( ! ) , which seems surprising , to say the least !

north american ranges like alaska , canada , and the northern united states , as well as much of eurasia , are where the least weasel population are naturally found , with other population being introduced elsewhere , including parts of the southern hemisphere . in these ranges , the least weasel lives in meadows , grasslands , marshy areas , pastures , stubble field habitats , and mouse - infested barns . it inhabits burrows dug by moles and gophers , or hollow logs where the former cannot be found . on the international union for conservation of nature’s ( iucn ) 2008 red list , the least weasel was classified as a species of " least concern " among threatened species . according to the iucn , its population is stable , with its primary threats today being poisoning with rodenticides and change in agriculture practices within their home ranges .

for the klamanth people of oregon , mink is a mythological hero and weasel is his troublesome younger brother .

the least weasel occupies most of canada with the exception of the maritimes , southern quebec and ontario , the arctic and central and coastal british columbia . it has broad circumpolar distribution through europe , north africa , asia and north america .

weasel wrath : least weasels are highly solitary , and even mating does not occur without a fight . females can breed several times in a year when food is plentiful . perhaps because of their small size , least weasels have an even greater reputation for ferocity than the other weasels , and there are many references to them in the popular cultures of different countries .

dubbed a “hair - trigger mousetrap with teeth” by one biologist , the least weasel is a specialized predator whose diet is mainly mice and small voles . it eats insects and ground - nesting birds , but only if other prey is scarce .

the taxonomy of least weasel mustela nivalis was reviewed by abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) , who considered egpytian weasel m . subpamata to be a distinct species , a treatment followed here . tonkin weasel m . tonkinensis and sichuan weasel m . russelliana , here treated as distinct species following groves ( 2007 ) , were included as part of m . nivalis by abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) ( and in previous versions of its red list assessment ) . a weasel population found in taiwan in the late 20th century and considered by its finders to be a new species allied to stoat m . erminea is here considered , following abramov ( 2006 ) to be part of m . nivalis .

taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial dna . - pubmed - ncbi

short h . l . 1961 . food habits of a captive weasel . journal of mammalogy 42 : 273–274 .

the weasel’s bloodlust is instinctual and triggered by movement . even on a full belly , a weasel will kill anything that moves and looks like prey . and to the tenacious weasel , pretty much everything looks like prey . tiny weasels have been seen killing and carrying off animals twice , four times , and even 10 times their size .

children ' s book illustrating a blackfoot legend about how weasel retrieved the warm spring wind from a powerful bear .

threats include incidental poisoning with rodenticides ( sheffield and king 1994 ) and persecution . least weasel prefers open agricultural habitats , which are declining owing to changes in agricultural practices ( rural abandonment ) in parts of europe , as open fields undergo succession .

the least weasel is a small mammal with a huge appetite . its sharp teeth and claws can take down animals larger than its own diminutive size . small rodents are preferred prey , but will chase down rabbits , birds , frogs and insects when necessary .

least weasels are predominantly carnivores , they mostly eat small rodents like mice and voles but also eat birds , frogs , fish and eggs .

weasels are relatively small , nimble mammals that are members of the mustelidae family , which also includes long - bodied animals such as wolverines , ferrets , badgers and certain skunk species . there are three weasel species that call north america home , the most prevalent being the long - tailed weasel . below are a few interesting weasel facts you might not know .

weasels feed on small mammals , and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms , or rabbits from commercial warrens . certain species of weasel and ferrets , have been reported to perform the mesmerizing weasel war dance , after fighting other creatures , or acquiring food from competing creatures . in folklore at least , this dance is particularly associated with the stoat .

according to blackfoot legend , the weasel is the bravest of animals , a hunter bold out of all proportion to his size . modern scientists agree , as every feature of these graceful and lightning - fast little animals seems designed to make them the perfect predator . this is especially true of the least weasel , the smallest of three weasels found in montana and the world’s smallest carnivore .

there is a very interesting article called “old prussian moazo ‘mother’s sister’ , mosuco ‘weasel’ & related words” by krzystof tomasz witczak .

the least weasel also has a long , slender , muscular body with short legs . the head is small , with beady eyes , small ears and a pointed nose . they move with quick movements and a graceful , bounding gait . all three weasels change color with the seasons , and there is no color difference between the sexes . all the senses are well developed in the weasel .

in historical times , least weasel was used as a house animal ( to preserve food from small rodents ; masseti 1995 ) as well as for food , fur and even traditional medicine , as is still the case in morocco ( lebarbenchon et al . 2010 ) .

the weasel is classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 7 ) , and a species of conservation concern by the uk biodiversity action plan , although not a priority species . listed under appendix iii of the bern convention ( 3 ) .

the least weasel is a mouse - sized weasel with a long slender body , short brown or white legs , and a tiny , streamlined head . it has short round ears , beady eyes , and a snout ending in whiskers . the least weasel ' s fur can be all white , or brown with a white streak stretching from its chin to its rump , while the tail is brown . fur color changes can occur , often going from brown to white during winter , according to the missouri department of conservation . the length of the males , including their tails , is up to 10 inches , and they weigh from 2 . 1 to 3 . 2 ounces , according to the illinois department of natural resources . females are up to 9 inches in length , and weigh 1 . 2 to 2 . 5 ounces . the least weasel ' s paws have 5 clawed toes suitable to its carnivorous , predatory lifestyle .

british popular - culture references to weasels are generally specifically to the common or least weasel . for example , alan lloyd ' s novel kine , about a fictional war in the english countryside between weasels and the invasive species mink , depicts the latter as sadistic , voracious invaders , giants in comparison to the weasels ; in american usage , both species would be kinds of weasel . similarly , in kenneth grahame ' s popular story the wind in the willows the villains are the weasels and the stoats , again two species of weasel in american usage . here everyday usage reflects the original european use of the word weasel for a single species .

usually burn energy the fastest and have the most active lifestyles , so it is no surprise that the least weasel , the miniature among mustelids , consumes roughly half its body weight each day—equal to about two deer mice and a vole . as with other weasels , adult females may be half the size of adult males , and they mature much more rapidly ; females are sexually mature at four months , males at eight months . females produce two litters each year , unlike the larger , slower - breeding ermine and long - tailed weasel . in the north , the fur of the least weasel turns from brown to white in winter , camouflaging them in the snow .

this species is mainly solitary , except during breeding season . least weasels may be active during the day but do most of their hunting at night .

one day , the windigo captures a traveler . he sends the terrified man out to find sticks for his own cook fire . along the way , the man encounters a weasel and begs it desperately for help . the man returns to the monster with the weasel hidden in his clothing . as they approach , the weasel rushes at the windigo and climbs into his anus . the windigo begins to look quite ill , and soon falls down dead : the tiny , brave weasel has eaten his heart from within .

similar species : much smaller than the short or long - tailed weasel . both short and long - tailed weasels have a blac

“it was discovered , ” he wrote , “that the fur of the least weasel would fluoresce under ultra - violet light , producing a vivid lavender color . the fur of the other two species remained a dull brown … thus , identification is positively and simply made , immediately . ”

least weasels , being highly - skilled predators of rodents , play an vital role in initiating or maintaining cycles in rodent populations , an important part of the tundra ecosystem , where specialized predators , like least weasels , play a role to keep lemming populations in check . in new zealand , on the contrary , where least weasels have been introduced , bird species are negatively affected by predation by this species , especially brown kiwis , which live on the ground .

species , have a reputation for killing prey much larger than themselves , then caching the remains . least weasels are highly specialized rodent predators and as such , they rely heavily upon rodent species for food . least weasels are , however , opportunistic feeders and will not overlook an easy meal , such as carrion .

heidt g . a . , petersen m . k . and kirkland g . l . j . 1968 . mating behavior and development of least weasels (

the german word for the least weasel , mauswiesel , refers to its tiny size . males are no more than 7 inches long , including the tail , and females rarely exceed 5 inches . both sexes are brown above with white underparts , coloration similar to that of montana’s two other weasels , the short - tailed and long - tailed ( the latter with cream underparts ) . unlike its cousins , the least lacks a black tail tip .

king c . m . 1980 . population biology of the weasel mustela nivalis on british game estates . holarctic ecology 3 : 160–168 .

weight : the short - tailed weasel weighs only two to five ounces , while its long - tailed cousin weighs about seven ounces .

a purse made from a weasel’s skin will never want for money ; but the purse must be found , not given or made .

the least weasel is the smallest of all weasels , averaging 157 - 190 mm ( 6 . 2 - 7 . 5 in . ) in total length and weighing 40 - 56 g ( 1 . 4 - 2 . 0 oz . ) ( hazard 1982 ) . it has a long body and neck with short limbs , a short tail , and a narrow , flattened head . in the summer , least weasels are brown on the back and whitish with occasional brown flecks underneath . in winter , they are entirely white in northern latitudes , where snow is common , but remain brown in southern latitudes ( sheffield and king 1994 ) . the least weasel resembles other weasel species , but it is smaller and has a proportionately shorter tail than the ermine and the long - tailed weasel ( mustela frenata ) . its tail is less than 25 % of the length of its head and body and lacks the black tip characteristic of ermines and long - tailed weasels ( sheffield and king 1994 ) . the pelage of least weasels will fluoresce under uv light , while that of ermines and long - tailed weasels will not ( hazard 1982 ; svendsen 1999 ) .

least weasels have long , slender bodies with short limbs , a long neck and a flat , narrow head . they have large black eyes and large round ears . this species has five fingers with sharp claws . their fur is a milk - chocolate brown with white on the under parts . northern populations have a white winter coat and brown summer coat . the least weasel is less than 10 inches long and only weighs one to three ounces .

latham’s glow - in - the - dark - weasel trick thereby entered the canon of weasel facts . even today , you can find numerous sources claiming that least weasels glow under uv light . there’s just one problem : his method has never been validated . nobody has ever reproduced his attempts . still , it’s possible that mustela nivalis glows in the dark . given everything else we know about weasels , it wouldn’t be surprising .

in the mennock pass recently , a driver observed a dead weasel , killed by a passing car , being lifted and carried off the road by a number of other weasels . this story was confirmed by a villager who had heard of a similar tale in the 1930’s where the night watchman at the wanlockhead smelt mills had watched several weasels remove a dead female and bury her in a ‘weasel grave’ nearby . on investigation , the watchman and the local gamekeeper , found the body of the weasel buried alongside a number of other weasel skeletons .

the coexistence of two very similar species , stoat and least weasel , has puzzled many researchers . from their ecology it is expected that they do not coexist , not locally at least , and still they seem to do . we reviewed the specific hypotheses proposed to explain their coexistence and related these to general theories of competitive coexistence . to test these conjectures , we studied the habitat selection of least weasels and stoats on landscape and on local scale . the study was performed during the winters , the most critical season , in years 1986–2001 in northern norway . stoats were usually more numerous than least weasels . stoats showed preference for productive areas both at the landscape and at the habitat scale and appeared stereotypic in their habitat selection . least weasels were more generalized and flexible in their habitat selection . contrary to results reported in many studies , least weasel did not react to the presence of stoats and were not excluded from the areas with stoats . we suggest that in the conditions of northernmost fennoscandia , the two species exhibit a variant of classical competitive coexistence . both species have a shared preference for rodents , but the access to exclusive alternative prey in stoats allows their coexistence with least weasels , which are more efficient predators on rodents . we suggest that more attention should be paid on survival resources , exploited during times of low resource density , when studying the coexistence between close competitors .

svendsen , g . e . 1999 . the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) . pages 173 - 174 in d . e . wilson and s . ruff , editors . the smithsonian book of north american mammals . smithsonian institution press in association with the american society of mammalogists , washington .

weasels were plentiful in pennsylvania in the early 1950s , but they weren’t welcome . after the pennyslvania game commission offered a bounty for every weasel pelt , they found themselves inundated with fur . the region was home to three weasel species , but once the weasel ' s tail had been removed , the pelts all looked pretty much the same . so how could they figure out which species a pelt belonged to ?

more random weasel bits . . . weasel deep , old magic of the dark , warrior balance of the light , teach that evil lies within , never in the day or night . stealth , silent observation this totem is a difficult power totem to have . it is a rare gift and great ability . weasel medicine can teach you to find out secrets through the power of silent observation . most weasel people are loners , graceful , solitary and silent . they are very intelligent . people do not see their power immediately and often underestimate them . weasel totem will awaken your innate ability for observation . trust your own instincts and you will avoid trouble and pursue your goals to greatest success . use your weasel medicine to observe what or who needs attention and offer assistance in your quiet or discreet way . re : urltoken

the least weasel is mostly found in the northeast asian deciduous forest , which covers korea , eastern asia , japan , china , and russia . least weasels can range in this area from 30 degrees to 47 degrees north latitude and 110 degrees east fahrenheit to 145 degrees east fahrenheit in longitude . the northeast asian deciduous forest has warm summers and cold winters . it is home to many mammals and birds but is currently threatened because of loggers chopping down trees .

food weasels prey on small rodents such as mice , rats , voles , hares , rabbits , and chipmunks . they also take shrews , birds , birds eggs , frogs , bats , insects , earthworms and may occasionally kill domestic chickens . the least weasel depends almost exclusively on mice for food .

although they are fierce predators , helping to control rodent populations , least weasels are also victims of predators , including the long - tailed weasel . hawks , owls , foxes , coyotes , housecats , and snakes also eat them . internal and external parasites also feed on them—albeit on a smaller scale .

good luck weasel : traditional inuit lore held the least weasel in great respect because of its pugnacious nature , and the capture of one was regarded as an omen of good luck . in classical and medieval european mythology , it is sometimes said that the only thing which can kill a basilisk is a weasel , though it would be killed in the conflict as well . the earliest record of this claim is in pliny ' s naturalis historia , book 8 , par . 33 . it was repeated by isidore of seville in his etymologiae , and subsequently by many medieval bestiarists .

much smaller than the short - or long - tailed weasel . both short - and long - tailed weasels have black tip on tail .

king , c . , k . griffiths , e . murphy . 2001 . advances in new zealand mammalogy 1990–2000 : stoat and weasel .

cats , owls , foxes and birds of prey will all try to kill weasels , although a weasel will fight hard to defend itself .

: voles , deer mice , and harvest mice make up the majority of the least weasel ' s diet . moles are sometimes eaten and shrews may be attacked by inexperienced individuals or when other prey are unavailable . insects are also eaten when encountered . small ground - nesting birds such as sparrows are occasionally captured . when small mammals are scarce , birds may be hunted intensively . it is estimated that least weasels require approximately half their body weight in food per day .

2 . if the animal is domestic , insist that the offending animal be penned and observed for at least 10 days to see if it gets sick or dies .

embed this arkive thumbnail link ( " portlet " ) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href = " urltoken " title = " arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis ) " > < img src = " urltoken " alt = " arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis ) " title = " arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis ) " border = " 0 " / > < / a >

because of its size and very active lifestyle of hunting , mating and burrowing , the least weasel must eat roughly between 40 - 60 % of its body weight every day . however , its appetite to kill is far more voracious than the amount it actually needs to survive . least weasels are known to take prey in quantities larger that it can consume . though it will stockpile any overkill in nearby burrows , the surplus is often left to rot as they prefer fresh meat .

in the northern arctic area , are very important for breeding success . the population sizes of least weasels found in northern areas cycle due to the population sizes of lemmings .

the minnesota biological survey has targeted this species for many years , and has located only a single individual despite intense trapping activities . a sub - adult female was captured in a live trap in 2006 on a privately owned native prairie tract in murray county . prior to this capture , no specimens of this species had been collected in minnesota since 1967 . while it seems that least weasel populations have fluctuated historically in minnesota ( swanson and fryklund 1935 ) , the low level of observations is troubling . more research is needed to determine the extent of least weasel distribution in minnesota and the ecological requirements necessary to ensure this species ' survival .

naturally , these gambits do not always work out in the weasel’s favor , hence the term “roulette . ” ( on a related note , a weasel ' s lifespan is a mere 1 to 2 years in the wild , for obvious reasons . ) but when they do ? watch out .

originally , the name " weasel " was applied to one species of the genus , the european form of the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) . early literary references to weasels , such as their common appearances in fables , refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole , reflecting what is still the common usage in britain . in technical discourse , however , as in american usage , the term " weasel " can refer to any member of the genus , or to the genus as a whole . of the 16 extant species currently classified in the genus mustela , ten have " weasel " in their common name . among those that do not are the stoat or ermine , the two species of mink , and the polecats or ferrets .

weasels , stoats , and even domesticated ferrets all perform a hilarious “weasel war dance” when they’ve got their prey cornered . scientists aren’t totally sure why they do this . one theory is that the weasel’s wacky twisting , hopping , and darting around distracts , confuses , or even hypnotizes prey animals . in one case , researchers concluded that a number of rabbits killed by stoats had actually “died of fright” after being subjected to the weasel war dance .

recognized as a species separate from least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) by van zyll de jong ( 1992 ) , reig ( 1997 ) , abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) , baryshnikov et al . ( 2003 ) , wozencraft ( 2005 ) , nyakatura and bininda - emonds ( 2012 ) , and mcdonald ( 2013 ) .

: because it is small and secretive the least weasel is rarely found throughout its range . its presence in kansas has been suspected for many years , but the first specimen from the state was not collected until march 1964 near marysville in marshall county . longevity of this small mammal is one or two years in the wild .

reig , s . 1997 . biogeographic and evolutionary implications of size variation in north american least weasels ( mustela nivalis ) . canadian journal of zoology 75 : 2036 - 2049 .

in summer , least weasels leave little sign , but watch for playful youngsters romping near a nest . in winter , look for a trail of twin prints in the snow .


coleophora seriphidii is a moth of the coleophoridae family .

it is found in turkestan and kirgizstan .

the larvae feed on the leaves of artemisia turanica .

they create a silky case which is broader in the central part .

there are five or six stripes extending along the case .

these are quite uniformly arranged , straight , narrow and barely perceptible at places .

the valve is three-sided .

the length of the case is 4.5 – 5 mm and it is brownish-gray in color , with brown longitudinal stripes .

the case of young larvae is almost white however .

larvae can be found from the end of april to may .

fully fed larvae estivate and hibernate .

coleophora seriphidii

coleophora seriphidii <EOT> this is the place for seriphidii definition . you find here seriphidii meaning , synonyms of seriphidii and images for seriphidii copyright 2017 © urltoken

here you will find one or more explanations in english for the word seriphidii . also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word seriphidii and , of course , seriphidii synonyms and on the right images related to the word seriphidii .

coleophora - species dictionary - global : ispot nature - your place to share nature . ispot is a website aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature . once you ' ve registered , you can add an observation to the website and suggest an identification yourself or see if anyone else can identify it for you .

encyclo . co . uk , online since 2007 , is a search engine for english meanings and definitions . the website aims to publish all wordlists , big and small , on the internet , making it much easier to find the word you need . follow us on facebook

html public " - / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en " " urltoken "

note : you should have a urltoken account to upload new topics and comments . please , create an account or log in to add comments

* our website is multilingual . some comments have been translated from other languages .

there are no photos of this species on the website yet . you can offer your photo by logging into your account

curators : konstantin efetov , vasiliy feoktistov , svyatoslav knyazev , evgeny komarov , stan korb , alexander zhakov .

species catalog enables to sort by characteristics such as expansion , flight time , etc . .

confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .

to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .

disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .

this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .

html public " - / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 0 transitional / / en "

[ 85 ] urltoken ( insecta . pro previous version / cтарая версия insecta . pro )

popular : trivia , history , america , television , tv , usa , world , geography , . . . more