Coccidiphila gerasimovi

Coccidiphila gerasimovi is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the splendor butterfly ( Cosmopterigidae ).

Features

The moths reach a wingspan 7-11 mm. The forewings are yellowish ocher, the Costa loader is to a good 2 /3 of the forewing length dark gray. A slightly curved and very oblique outwardly, dark gray line extends from the middle of the wing inner edge to the apex and is extended to the interior angle. Two dark gray lines are at the apex on the fringe scales. The fringe scales are ocher- gray at the apex dark gray and towards the wing inner edge. The hind wings shining gray. The dark gray color pattern of the forewings is sometimes reinforced and extends over the entire wing. The ocher base color is then only begin to be seen.

In the males the right brachium is elongated and pointed distally. The left brachium is cone- shaped. The Valven wide from the narrowest point behind the center gradually to a triangular cucullus. The Valvellae are strongly curved near base, the remaining part is only slightly curved. You are in the middle at the widest and tapering distally. The aedeagus is rectangular and has anteriorly a long, tongue-shaped protuberance.

In females, the bulge at the rear edge of the 7th sternite is very flat. The ostium is very wide. The sterigma is rounded front and rear flattened. It has large, oblique, lateral praise. The corpus bursae is densely covered with crescent-shaped comb structures.

Similar Species

Coccidiphila gerasimovi similar Coccidiphila ledereriella, but is usually darker. A reliable species identification is possible only by a genital examination. In the males, it is enough to remove the scales of after tuft, to make the flashy right brachium visible.

Dissemination

Coccidiphila gerasimovi is widespread in the Mediterranean. One can find the kind of Spain in the west, across North Africa, Asia Minor and the Middle East to the West Caucasus. In Malta, the species is widespread. It is also home to the Canary Islands.

Biology

The caterpillars feed on the eggs of various Schildlausarten. These include Pseudococcus maritimus, Laccifer lacca, Leucanium prunastri and Aonidella citrina. Moths were collected from April to October.

Documents

• Cosmopterigidae
• Splendor falter