Dolicharthria punctalis

Dolicharthria punctalis, the long-legged china-mark, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It is the type species of the proposed genus Stenia, which is usually included in Dolicharthria but may be distinct.[1]

Dolicharthria punctalis
Adult, Roussillon, France
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Dolicharthria
Species:
D. punctalis
Binomial name
Dolicharthria punctalis
Synonyms
  • Pyralis punctalis Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Stenia punctalis (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (but see text)
Illustration from John Curtis's British Entomology Volume 6

It is found mainly in central and southern Europe, but has been recorded further north. The wingspan is 20–25 mm. The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.

Figs 7 larva after 3rd moult

The caterpillars feed on Centaurea (knapweeds), Plantago (plantain herb), Trifolium (clovers), Artemisia vulgaris (common wormwood) and even the marine eelgrass Zostera marina. Yet other unusual recorded[2] foods are dry leaves, plant waste, and old roots.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ See references in Savela (2009)
  2. ^ Grabe (1942)

References

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  • Grabe, Albert (1942): Eigenartige Geschmacksrichtungen bei Kleinschmetterlingsraupen ["Strange tastes among micromoth caterpillars"]. Zeitschrift des Wiener Entomologen-Vereins 27: 105-109. (in German) PDF fulltext
  • Savela, Markku (2009): Lepidoptera and Some Other Life FormsDolicharthria. Version of May 16, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
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