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Palpita vitrealis

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Palpita vitrealis
Moth of Palpita vitrealis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Palpita
Species:
P. vitrealis
Binomial name
Palpita vitrealis
(Rossi, 1794)
Synonyms[1][2][3]
List
  • Palpita unionalis (Hübner, 1796)
  • Botys jucundalis Lederer, 1863
  • Botys quinquepunctalis Boisduval, 1833
  • Margarodes septempunctalis Mabille, 1880
  • Margarodes transvisalis Guenée, 1854
  • Orphanostigma versicolor Warren, 1896
  • Phalaena vitrealis Rossi, 1794
  • Pyralis unionalis Hübner, 1796
  • Syngamia latimarginalis (Walker, 1859)

Palpita vitrealis, common name jasmine moth or white pearl, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae.

Distribution

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This species occurs worldwide, including Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa), [2]Asia, Australia and Europe.[4] In Europe, it is mainly found in southern Europe, but may be found further north. [3][5]

Description

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in Ghana

The wingspan of Palpita vitrealis can reach 27–31 mm. The body and the wings are translucent with a slight sheen. Eyes are large and reddish-brown. On the upper edge of the forewings is present a rather broad orange or brown border. The forewings also show two black spots in the middle. Legs are white and brown ringed.[6]

Biology

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These moths mainly fly from August till late October, depending on the location. They feed on nectar of various flowers, including ivy and buddleia.[6][7] This species shows a migratory nature. The larvae are initially yellow, later becoming green. They can grow to a length of about 2 cms. They feed on the leaves of the host plants, mainly jasmine (Jasminum officinale), privet (Ligustrum species), Forsythia, Arbutus unedo and european olive (Olea europaea). [7] In Africa the preferred host plants are Sida rhombifolia, Grewia, Helicteres isora, Schima noronhae and Randia scortechinii. [2] The larvae are considered a pest of olive fields, as they attack the leaves and fruits. The final instar of the larvae spins some leaves together and form a silky cocoon to pupate.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Lepiforum
  2. ^ a b c African Moths
  3. ^ a b Fauna Europaea
  4. ^ Funet
  5. ^ a b Plantwise Knowledge Banl
  6. ^ a b UK Moths
  7. ^ a b Catalogue of lepidoptera of Belgium
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