Axia (moth)

Axia, the gold moths, is a genus of moths whose precise relationships within the macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently are placed within the superfamily Drepanoidea. Uniquely, they have a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal spiracle of the adult moth[1] which are possibly sound receptive organs.[2] They are quite large and brightly coloured moths that occur only in southern Europe and feed on species of Euphorbia. Sometimes they are attracted to light.[1] The genus was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1821.

Axia
Axia margarita
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Cimeliidae
Genus:
Axia

Hübner, 1821
Synonyms
  • Timia Boisduval, 1828
  • Cimelia Lederer, 1853
  • Cimetimia Chrétien, 1916

One species, Epicimelia theresiae, was formerly included in this genus, but has since been recognized as distinct; it represents the only other described genus in the family.[3]

Species

References
  1. J. Minet (1999). "The Axioidea and Calliduloidea". In N. P. Kristensen (ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin & New York. pp. 257–261.
  2. J. Minet & A. Surlykke (2003). "Auditory and sound producing organs". In N. P. Kristensen (ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 2: Morphology and Physiology. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. pp. 289–323.
  3. Shen-Horn Yen and Joël Minet (2007) Cimelioidea: A New Superfamily Name for the Gold Moths (Lepidoptera: Glossata). Zoological Studies 46(3): 262-271

Sources
  • De Freina, J.J. & Witt, T.J, (1987) Die Bombyces und Sphinges der Westpalearktis.; ISBN 3-926285-00-1
  • Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, ISBN 1-55297-612-2, 2002
  • Savela, Markku. "Axia Hübner, 1821". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved August 4, 2018.


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