Axia (moth)

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Axia
Axia margarita.jpg
Axia margarita
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Cimeliidae
Genus: Axia
Hübner, 1821
Synonyms
  • TimiaBoisduval, 1828
  • CimeliaLederer, 1853
  • CimetimiaChrétien, 1916

Axia, the gold moths, is a genus of moths whose precise relationships within the macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently are placed within the superfamily Drepanoidea. Uniquely, they have a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal spiracle of the adult moth [1] which are possibly sound receptive organs. [2] They are quite large and brightly coloured moths that occur only in southern Europe and feed on species of Euphorbia . Sometimes they are attracted to light. [1] The genus was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1821.

Contents

One species, Epicimelia theresiae , was formerly included in this genus, but has since been recognized as distinct; it represents the only other described genus in the family. [3]

Species

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References

  1. 1 2 J. Minet (1999). "The Axioidea and Calliduloidea". In N. P. Kristensen (ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin & New York. pp. 257–261.
  2. J. Minet & A. Surlykke (2003). "Auditory and sound producing organs". In N. P. Kristensen (ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 2: Morphology and Physiology. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. pp. 289–323.
  3. Shen-Horn Yen and Joël Minet (2007) Cimelioidea: A New Superfamily Name for the Gold Moths (Lepidoptera: Glossata). Zoological Studies 46(3): 262-271

Sources