Cosmopterix salahinella

Cosmopterix salahinella is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of the splendor butterfly ( Cosmopterigidae ).

Features

The moths reach a wingspan of 10-12 millimeters. The species is similar Cosmopterix lienigiella, but differs from it by the narrower front wing and the broad center line in the basal region of the forewing. This ranges from the wing base to the yellow armband. In some specimens from Tunisia, the white center line is less pronounced.

The genital armature of the males is also similar to the above-mentioned manner similar to, but differs by the short, rounded hump on the right brachium and the less well-developed hump on the right Valvella.

The genital armature of females differs from the similar nature by the less strongly curved rear end of the 7th sternite and the smooth and sharp rear part of the ostium.

Dissemination

Cosmopterix salahinella is common in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Israel and east to Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Biology

The caterpillars develop on reed (Phragmites australis). You nate in the leaves and can be encountered from summer until February. The mines can not be distinguished from Cosmopterix scribaiella. The Raupenkot collects in the lower, narrow part of the mine and is sometimes also ejected. The caterpillars pupate within the mine, the moths emerge from late January to late May. In Egypt, the species forms two generations per year and there nated in the leaves of the pile tube ( Arundo donax ). Since the host plant is used commercially, considering Cosmopterix salahinella as a pest. The attack rates vary greatly and are 4.8 to 45.7 percent. The caterpillars and pupae are attacked on average 20 percent of parasitoids. These parasitoids are mainly jewel wasps of the genera Pediobius and Brachymeria.

Documents

• Splendor falter
• Cosmopterigidae