Paysandisia archon
Paysandisia archon, top male, female below, left lower sides, right Tops
Paysandisia archon is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of Castniidae, which is widespread in South America and was introduced late 20th century to Europe.
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Features
The wingspan of the butterfly is 80 to 110 millimeters. The sensor end in a gradually thickening sensing bulb and are similar to those of many butterflies. Head, thorax and abdomen are light brown. The front wings are also light brown, darker and lighter at the apex on the inner edge and the outer edge. Furthermore located along the veins one to two blackish longitudinal lines. Especially in females exists often a number of bright spots in the area of Diskoidalader. Base and anterior margin of the hind wings are red, the Saumfeld is provided and orange with a brown hemline. The midfield is drawn in black and with six to seven located in a very irregular series light yellow to bluish white oblong- oval spots, which are located between the veins. The fringes of both wings are whitish.
Dissemination
Paysandisia archon occurs in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and northwestern Argentina. Approximately between 1985 and 1995 the species was introduced to Europe and is currently in propagation along the coasts of the Mediterranean and even in southern England. So far it is known from Spain ( provinces of Alicante, Valencia, Castellón, Gerona and Balearic Islands), France ( Pyrenees Orientales region, Aude, Hérault, Gard, Bouches -du -Rhone, Var, Alpes- Maritimes, and since 2006 also in the region Midi- Pyrénées), Italy ( Campania, Marche and Sicily ) and the UK ( Sussex ). The introduction to Spain and France was possibly several times with palm trees imported from Argentina of the genera Trithrinax and Butia.
Habitat
The species colonized habitats where their caterpillars occur food plants. In Europe, these are mainly planted ornamental palm trees in parks and gardens and the palm-lined avenues in cities and towns.
Lifestyle and harmfulness
The moths are diurnal. The females lay the eggs resembling small grains of rice to the soft base of the trunk of palm trees. The drawing almost loose, whitish caterpillars bore into the plant; the infestation is externally visible through debris exiting at the base of the petioles or the trunk. Adults caterpillars reach a length of 80 to 100 millimeters. They pupate in a cocoon made of palm fibers within the feeding passage created by the caterpillar.
While the type caused no major damage in their homeland South America, it has become a formidable threat to the here mostly planted native and exotic species of palms in Europe. The infested palms may dry up completely die and fall over later, which is undesirable especially in the tourist areas. Therefore, the kind in Europe, will fight in every possible way and tried to eradicate. Since currently no biological control methods are available, is usually a massive use of insecticides.
Food of the caterpillars
In its natural range the caterpillars to yatay Butia, Chamaerops spec., Latania spec., Livistona chinensis, Phoenix canariensis, Syagrus romanzoffiana and Trithrinax campestris live. In Europe, it has been found to Chamaerops humilis, Livistona chinensis, Livistona decipiens and Livistona saribus, Phoenix species, including Phoenix canariensis, Phoenix dactylifera and Phoenix reclinata, Sabal spec., Trachycarpus fortunei, Washingtonia filifera and Trithrinax campestris.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths have been observed in Europe July to November.
Taxonomy
The monobasic genus Paysandisia described for Castnia josepha ( a junior subjective synonym of Castnia archon ) contains only the archon a kind. Since the entire tribe Castniini requires a phylogenetic revision, it is expected that the type archon will change with future taxonomic research their class affiliation.