Axia
Encyclopedia
Axia, or the "Gold Moths", is a genus of moth
s whose precise relationships within the Macrolepidoptera
http://www.tolweb.org/Macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently represent a superfamily whose nearest relatives include the butterflies, Calliduloidea, Drepanoidea
, Geometroidea
, Bombycoidea
, Mimallonoidea
and Lasiocampoidea
, and the Noctuoidea
. Uniquely, they have a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal spiracle
of the adult moth which are possibly sound receptive organs . 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 .
One species, Epicimelia theresiae, was formerly included in this genus, but has since been recognized as distinct; it is the only other described species in the family.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
s whose precise relationships within the Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera
Macrolepidoptera is a group within the insect order Lepidoptera. Traditionally used for the larger butterflies and moths as opposed to the "Microlepidoptera", this group is unnatural. However, it seems that by moving some taxa about, a monophyletic Macrolepidoptera can be easily achieved...
http://www.tolweb.org/Macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently represent a superfamily whose nearest relatives include the butterflies, Calliduloidea, Drepanoidea
Drepanoidea
Drepanoidea is the superfamily of "hook tip moths". See Minet and Scoble for a comprehensive overview.-References:*Minet, J and Scoble, M.J. . The Drepanoid/Geometroid Assemblage. Ch. 17 in Kristensen, N.P. . Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography....
, Geometroidea
Geometroidea
Geometroidea is the superfamily of geometrid moths in the Lepidoptera. It includes the families Geometridae, Uraniidae, and Sematuridae...
, Bombycoidea
Bombycoidea
Bombycoidea is a superfamily of moths. It contains the silk moths, emperor moths, sphinx moths and relatives. The Lasiocampoidea are close relatives and sometimes merged in the present group. Their larvae exhibit horns.-Sources:...
, Mimallonoidea
Mimallonoidea
Mimallonoidea is the superfamily of sack bearer moths, containing the single family Mimallonidae.-Genera:*Aceclostria*Adalgisa*Aleyda*Alheita*Bedosia*Biterolfa*Cicinnus*Druentica*Eadmuna*Euphaneta...
and Lasiocampoidea
Lasiocampoidea
Lasiocampoidea is the superfamily of "lappet moths", containing two families of small to very large moths. Lasiocampidae have a global distribution, whilst Anthelidae are found only in Australia and New Zealand. There are about 158 genera...
, and the Noctuoidea
Noctuoidea
Noctuoidea is the superfamily of noctuid or "owlet" moths, and has the largest number of species described for any Lepidopteran superfamily. Its classification has not yet reached a satisfactory or stable state. The most recent classifications include only four families in the superfamily;...
. Uniquely, they have a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal spiracle
Spiracle
Spiracles are openings on the surface of some animals that usually lead to respiratory systems.-Vertebrates:The spiracle is a small hole behind each eye that opens to the mouth in some fishes. In the primitive jawless fish the first gill opening immediately behind the mouth is essentially similar...
of the adult moth which are possibly sound receptive organs . 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 .
One species, Epicimelia theresiae, was formerly included in this genus, but has since been recognized as distinct; it is the only other described species in the family.
Sources
- De Freina, J.J. and 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