Agdistis (butterfly)

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Agdistis
Agdistis linnaei [1]

Agdistis linnaei

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Feather moths (Pterophoridae)
Subfamily : Agdistinae
Genre : Agdistis
Scientific name
Agdistis
Huebner , 1825

Agdistis is a genus of butterflies from the family of feather moths (Pterophoridae).

features

The species of the genus Agdistis , like those of the subfamily Ochyrroticinae, have unsplit fore and hind wings. The wings are gray to gray-brown in color and some species have a silvery sheen. There are usually small dots on the outer half of Costa ’s fore wings. Further points are present at the edge of the fore wing fold. The wire R1 is formed on the front wings , the wires R2 and R3 are separated. The wires M3 and Cu1 are stalked. When the butterflies are at rest, the front wings are folded together. The edges of this fold contain an area that is only slightly provided with wedge-shaped scales . The upper end of this area is located near the disk region , the base consists of the central area of ​​the wing's outer edge.

The moths of this genus are very similar. The determination on the basis of external characteristics is in many cases very difficult and often unreliable, so that characteristics of the genitalia are used to differentiate between the species .

The valves , saccular and cucullar processes of the male genitals are often asymmetrical. Membranous folds or appendages are occasionally present, as are spines. The ninth sternite is well developed and elongated. The female genitals are of great diversity, the shape and size of the antrum are particularly characteristic here.

distribution

The representatives of the genus Agdistis are native to the Palearctic , where they mainly occur in the Mediterranean , Africa and South Asia . A single species is also found in North America . In Southeast Asia , Australia and the Neotropics , the genus Agdistis is replaced by the genus Ochyrotica .

Way of life

The caterpillars of the genus Agdistis live on leadwort plants (Plumbaginaceae), Frankenia , tamarisk plants (Tamaricaceae) and sunflower plants (Asteraceae). They pupate on leaves or stems.

Systematics

The genus Agdistis currently comprises 97 species worldwide, 28 of which are also native to Europe .

Synonyms

The following synonyms are known from the literature for the genus Agdistis :

  • Adactylus Curtis, 1833
  • Agdistes Stephens, 1835
  • Adactyla Zeller, 1841
  • Ernestia Tutt, 1907
  • Herbertia Tutt, 1907

swell

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cees Gielis: Ten new species of Afrotropical Pterophoridae (Lepidoptera) in Zoologische Mededelingen 82, January 2008
  2. ↑ a b c d C. Gielis: Pterophoridae. In: P. Huemer, O. Karsholt, L. Lyneborg (Eds.): Microlepidoptera of Europe 1: 1-222. , Apollo Books 1996, ISBN 87-88757-36-6
  3. ↑ C. Gielis: Pterophoroidea & Alucitoidea. In: World Catalog of Insects. Volume 4 , Apollo Books, 2003, ISBN 87-88757-68-4
  4. ↑ Agdistis Hübner 1825. Fauna Europaea, Version 1.3, April 19, 2007 , accessed on September 13, 2008 .

Web links

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