Axia margarita
Axia margarita
Axia margarita is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of gold moths ( Cimeliidae ). The former name of the Axiidae family was renamed Cimeliidae to avoid confusion with those forming part of the mole crabs family of the same name.
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 22-28 millimeters. The ground color of the forewing is bright pink. In the Submarginalregion is a large, elongated yellow spot, which is limited to the inside edge with a silver- white stripes. Emanate from the root zone of two whitish lines. Very striking is a large drop-shaped silver- white spot in the middle, which sometimes acts like a pearl. From this feature is also the scientific name of the species from the Latin margarita = "Pearl " is derived. Next to it is a point-like other same-colored stain. Normally, these two spots are not connected with each other. She only occasionally run into each other. The Saumfeld and the fringes are bright pink. The hind wings are colored gray-brown without markings.
Specimens from Morocco and Andalusia, belonging to the subspecies Axia margarita andalusica, point to the front wings strong purple-violet hues.
Similar Species
Axia Napoleona, Axia Axia vaulogeri and nesiota
Geographical distribution and habitat
The proliferation of Axia margarita includes Morocco, Spain, southern France, Istria and the south of Carniola. The animals are mainly found in warm coastal areas or dry lower elevations.
Way of life
The moths fly mainly during the day and form two generations per year, which are found from April to October. They like to rest with folded wings roof-like at the reddish, lower stems of the food plant, where they are color matched perfectly. Also, since the silver-white spot in the middle of the forewing is similar to a dewdrop, they fall on hard. You only visit occasionally artificial light sources. The caterpillars feed on various milkweed species ( Euphorbia ).