Parapoynx nivalis

Parapoynx nivalis is a butterfly of the family of Crambiden ( Crambidae ). The specific epithet nivalis ( snow = white ) refers to the white wing coloration.

Features

The moths reach a wingspan of 16-17 mm in males and 18-22 mm in females. The forewings are white and have a yellow-brown Proximallinie wearing an elongated black spot in the upper third. The Diskozellularfleck is divided into two black spots, which lie one above the other. The Distallinie is yellow-brown and bent. The Submarginallinie is jagged yellow brown and towards the wing outer edge. The Submarginalbereich is pale yellow-brown margins and basal dark. The hind wings are white and have a yellow-brown Proximallinie. The yellow-brown Distallinie is serrated towards the wing outer edge and the pale yellow-brown Submarginalbereich is inside margins dark.

The genital armature of the males is relatively small. The uncus is relatively long and pointed. The Gnathos is not perforated. The Valven do not have special characteristics and are not broadened distally. The juxtaposition is oval. The phallus is distally very narrow. At the base is where the ejaculatory bulb.

In females, the Oviscapter is relatively short. He basal apophyses slightly dilated. The Colliculum wide. The corpus bursae is oval, the sign consists of two long, roughened, narrow ridges, which are surrounded by a slightly sclerotic area.

Dissemination

Parapoynx nivalis is native to Central and Eastern Europe. The range extends from Germany to the Ukraine and from Poland to Bulgaria. The westernmost localities lie in East Germany, there occurs the style but only sporadically in appearance. Outside of Europe the way in Kazakhstan ( Oral, Emba ) was found. Evidence from Russia ( Kazan ) is based on a misidentification and is the type Phlyctaenia perlucidalis assign.

Biology

The moths fly from May to July, according to other sources also to August in two generations and even into September. The preimaginal stages are unknown, they probably live aquatic.

System

From the literature, the following synonyms are known:

• Pyralis nivalis Denis & Schiffer Müller, 1775
• Phalaena candidata Fabricius, 1787
• Phalaena nivealis Fabricius, 1794
• Crambus niveus Fabricius, 1798

Documents

• Crambiden
• Crambidae