Platyptilia isodactylus

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Platyptilia isodactylus
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pterophoridae
Genus: Platyptilia
Species:
P. isodactylus
Binomial name
Platyptilia isodactylus
(Zeller, 1852)  [1]
Synonyms
  • Platyptilia isodactyla(Zeller, 1853)
  • Pterophorus isodactylusZeller, 1852
  • Platyptilia brunneodactylaD. Lucas, 1955

Platyptilia isodactylus (ragwort plume moth or ragwort crown-boring plume moth) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in China, Europe and was introduced to Australia and New Zealand for biological control. It was first described by the German entomologists, Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1852.

Contents

Figs 4, 4a , larva after final moult larvae in various stages of growth 4b pupa 4c enlarged view of segment Buckler W The larvae of the British butterflies and moths Plate CLXIII.jpg
Figs 4, 4a , larva after final moult larvae in various stages of growth 4b pupa 4c enlarged view of segment

Description

The wingspan is 21-23 mm. The forewings are brown, the costa is anteriorly dark fuscous, whitish-sprinkled with a very ill -defined dark fuscous triangular blotch on costa beyond middle, the apex forming a distinct dot. There are faint traces of a pale subterminal line; apical 2/3 of terminal cilia white. The hindwings are dark fuscous scale-tooth moderate, in middle. The larva is pale green; dorsal line darker; subdorsal darker, whitish -edged above; lateral and spiracular faintly whitish; head and tubercles black.. [2]

Biology

Moths are on the wing in June and then again in August and September.

The larvae feed in the stems of Senecio aquaticus.

Distribution

It is native to central Europe, Mediterranean North Africa and southern Europe. It has also been recorded from China. [3] It has been introduced in Australia and New Zealand as a biological control agent for ragwort. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Platyptilia farfarellus</i> Species of plume moth

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<i>Oidaematophorus lithodactyla</i> Species of plume moth

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<i>Platyptilia campsiptera</i> Species of plume moth

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<i>Pterophorus innotatalis</i> Species of plume moth

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<i>Amblyptilia epotis</i> Species of plume moth

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Antaeotricha melanarma is a species of moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in French Guiana.

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Antaeotricha bicolor is a species of moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in Brazil.

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<i>Asaphodes cosmodora</i> Species of moth

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References

  1. ↑ "Platyptilia isodactylus (Zeller, 1852)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain . Keys and description
  3. ↑ New Recorded Species of Pterophoridae from China (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) Archived 2011-08-26 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Ragwort Plume Moth" (PDF). Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2022.


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