Jordanita algirica
| Jordanita algirica | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Jordanita algirica | ||||||||||||
| ( Rothschild , 1917) |
Jordanita algirica is a butterfly fromthe ram family (Zygaenidae).
features
In Morocco, J. algirica shows a remarkable variability that cannot be found in Algeria and Tunisia. Based on this, a number of subspecies have been described for Morocco . The largest representatives come from the northern regions of the Middle Atlas , the smallest specimens are native to the Anti-Atlas and Tunisia and are strongly reminiscent of Jordanita minutissima in their appearance . The variability, especially in genital traits, is so great that it is not justified to grant any of these populations a subspecies status without a better knowledge of biology and ecology.
The moths reach a forewing length of 8.1 to 13.0 millimeters for the males and 7.1 to 12.0 millimeters for the females. The head, thorax , legs and abdomen are golden-green, green or bluish green and densely scaled , but not hairy. The sensors have a thick shaft and consist of 33 to 37 segments. The upper side of the forewing is similar in color to the thorax and abdomen. The hind wings are light gray or gray and translucent . The undersides of the wings are light gray and have no shiny scales.
In males, the aedeagus has a distinctive cornutus with a sharp tip, which can vary in length and shape within a population . The 8th abdominal sternite is variable in size, but it never reaches the posterior edge of the segment.
The ostium of the females is wide, the funnel-shaped antrum has a smooth surface and is heavily sclerotized proximally . Distally it is grooved and translucent. The ductus bursae is very short, slightly curved and translucent. The corpus bursae is ovoid.
The egg is pale yellow.
The first caterpillar stage (L 1 ) is greenish white, the other stages are not yet known. The adult caterpillar is believed to resemble that of Jordanita rungsi .
The pupa and cocoon have not yet been described.
Similar species
In northeast Algeria, J. algirica occurs sympatric with Jordanita minutissima . The similar type is slightly smaller and has shorter feelers, although the number of feeler segments is roughly the same. In the males the shape of the cornutus is different, in the females there are no genital morphological differences.
In Morocco , Jordanita carolae occurs sympatric in the High Atlas with an approximately equal population of J. algiricae . The similar species is bluish and the cornutus of the Aedeagus is not pointed. The sclerotization of the 8th sternite extends to the posterior edge of the segment, the morphology of the female genitals is also characteristic.
In the Middle Atlas J. algirica occurs together with Jordanita rungsi . The similar species can be distinguished by the narrower, more pointed forewings and the intense green color, which has a stronger shimmer. The two types can be distinguished genitally morphologically. In the males, the 8th sternite extends to the rear edge of the segment.
distribution
Jordanita algirica is common in Morocco , Algeria, and Tunisia . Occurrences in Sicily have not been confirmed. The vertical distribution extends from sea level in Algeria to 3150 meters in the High Atlas in Morocco.
biology
The species is tied to areas with abundant vegetation of the food plant, these are mainly slopes in steppes or semi-deserts , occasionally dry biotopes are settled on roadsides. In very dry areas such as in the Anti-Atlas , the species occurs only in the more humid areas. The caterpillars live on Carthamus calvus . The moths fly in the lowlands from April and in mountainous locations until the beginning of July. They suckle on the yellow flowers of various types of daisy family (Asteraceae).
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d C. M. Naumann, WG Tremewan: The Western Palaearctic Zygaenidae . 1st edition. Apollo Books, Stenstrup 1999, ISBN 87-88757-15-3 (English).
literature
- CM Naumann, WG Tremewan: The Western Palaearctic Zygaenidae . 1st edition. Apollo Books, Stenstrup 1999, ISBN 87-88757-15-3 (English).
Web links
- Jordanita algirica at Fauna Europaea. Retrieved March 30, 2011
- The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) photos