Agdistis meridionalis

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Agdistis meridionalis
Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Feather moths (Pterophoridae)
Subfamily : Agdistinae
Genre : Agdistis
Type : Agdistis meridionalis
Scientific name
Agdistis meridionalis
( Zeller , 1847)

Agdistis meridionalis is a butterfly (moth) from the family of feather moths (Pterophoridae).

features

The moths reach a wingspan of 22 to 25 millimeters. The wings are colored gray and speckled with brown scales . There is a subterminal costal spot on each of the forewings and four spots along the dorsal margin of the wing fold. The fourth spot is located diagonally above the third. The moths show a very characteristic resting posture, in which the narrow wings are held obliquely forward, while the body is lifted by the long front legs.

The valves of the male genitals are asymmetrical to one another. The left valve is widened in front of the apex and provided with a cost alarm that is two thirds of the length of the valve. The right valve is provided with a saccular attachment and a cost alarm. The ninth sternite is split asymmetrically. The ostium of the female genitals is slightly dented. The antrum is twice as long as it is wide and gradually narrows. The eighth tergite has a small central depression.

Similar species

distribution

Agdistis meridionalis is native to the Palearctic and is found in the Canary Islands , Great Britain and the Mediterranean including North Africa . In the east the distribution area extends to Romania , Greece , Cyprus and Turkey .

Way of life

The larvae live on various sea lavender species such as common sea lavender ( Limonium vulgare ), Limonium binervosum , Limonium obtusifolium , Limonium virgatum , Limonium cordatum and Limonium pectinatum . In the south of England, the species inhabits dry rocky cliffs on which the food plants grow.

Flight and caterpillar times

The moths fly in two generations from April to September.

Systematics

Synonyms

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

  • Adactyla meridionalis Zeller, 1847
  • Agdistis staticis Millière, 1875
  • Agdistis portlandica Tutt, 1906
  • Agdistis staricis var. Delicatulella Chrétien, 1917
  • Agdistis clivicola Meyrick, 1928
  • Agdistis tyrrhenica Blackbird, 1951
  • Agdistis prolai Hartig, 1953

supporting documents

  1. ↑ 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 .
  2. ↑ a b c C. Gielis: Pterophoroidea & Alucitoidea. In: World Catalog of Insects. Volume 4. Apollo Books, 2003, ISBN 87-88757-68-4 .

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