Ascalenia echidnias
Ascalenia echidnias is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of Chrysopeleiidae.
Features
The moths reach a wingspan 7-10 mm. Head, thorax and tegulae are gray-brown, the scales have here bright peaks. The forewings are mottled gray-brown and light gray at the tips of scales. For casement drawing includes two short, indistinct, dark brown strokes. The first is 1 /3 of the forewing length of the anal fold, the second is located in the wing center at 2/ 3 of the forewing length. A white, oblique inward Costalstrich and a white running obliquely outwards Tornalstrich form an indistinct, offendes down triangle at 3/ 4 of the forewing length. In the apical region, there are some white scales. The fringe scales are gray-brown and gray at the apex toward the wing inner edge. The hind wings shine light gray. They are gray-brown on the Costa loader and at the apex. The fringe scales are light gray. The abdomen dorsally shining pale brown, the segments are rear banded gray. The after tuft is white. In females, the seventh segment is ventrally black.
In the male the uncus is medium in size, curved and provided with a blunt apex. The Valven are narrow at the base and widen gradually to the middle. The distal part tapers abruptly to a rounded and slightly curved apex. The widest part is located dorsolateral a triangular projection with a rounded tip. On the inner surface there are some rough and slightly curved bristles. The apex and the extension are ventrally provided with a long, hair-like bristle. There is a long curved bristle at the base. The aedeagus is strong and slightly curved.
In females, the slit-shaped bulge of the seventh sternite is small and U-shaped. The fold of the sixth sternite is broad trapezoidal. The ostium is surrounded by two large side shields with reticular structure. They are tapered in the middle and are bent at an acute angle to the outside. The ductus bursae is short and proceeds in several turns. In the middle of a sklerotisiertes longitudinal band which is particularly pronounced in the direction of the orifice extends. The corpus bursae is oval and has a reticulate surface. The signals are large and often bicuspid.
Similar Species
Ascalenia echidnias similar Ascalenia Vanella and Ascalenia vanelloides. A determination is only possible through a genital examination.
Dissemination
Ascalenia echidnias is common in Madeira, Sardinia, Malta, North Africa and Asia Minor. The species is present there in dry or desert-like areas.
Biology
The biology of the species is unknown. Moths were collected from April to June and from September to October.
System
There are known the following synonyms:
- Elachista echidnias Meyrick, 1891
- Ascalenia acaciella var signatella Chrétien, 1915
- Ascalenia oranella Lucas, 1939
- Ascalenia satellita Gozmány, 1960