Anarsia ephippias is a species of moth belonging to the family Gelechiidae, a large family of small, often obscurely marked moths commonly known as twirler moths or gelechiid moths.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Gelechioidea
- Family: Gelechiidae
- Genus: Anarsia
- Species: A. ephippias
- Scientific name: Anarsia ephippias Meyrick, 1918
The species was first formally described by British entomologist Edward Meyrick in 1918.
Description
Like other members of the genus Anarsia, A. ephippias is a relatively small and slender moth. Specific detailed descriptions often require reference to original taxonomic works or specialized faunal guides. Typically, Anarsia species possess narrow wings, often mottled or speckled, and adopt a characteristic resting posture with their antennae held backward along the body. For A. ephippias, the forewings have been described as dark fuscous, strigulated (marked with fine streaks) with blackish, and featuring an irregular pale ochreous median blotch.Distribution
Anarsia ephippias is native to parts of South Asia. Its known geographical distribution includes:- India: Recorded from states such as Bihar, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Sri Lanka
Biology and Ecology
The larvae of Anarsia ephippias are known to be polyphagous within the plant family Fabaceae (legumes), feeding on several species of Acacia and Pithecellobium. The host plants include:- Acacia catechu (khair tree)
- Acacia senegal (gum arabic tree)
- Acacia nilotica (babul tree)
- Acacia leucophloea
- Pithecellobium dulce (Manila tamarind or Madras thorn)
The larval feeding habits often involve boring into shoots, developing pods, or feeding on foliage, which is typical for many Gelechiidae species. Given its association with economically important trees like Acacia species (valued for timber, gum, fodder, and fuel) and Pithecellobium dulce (a food crop and hedging plant), A. ephippias can be of some agricultural and forestry relevance, particularly in its native range where these plants are cultivated or grow naturally.
References
- Meyrick, E. (1918). Exotic Microlepidoptera. Vol. 2.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - https://www.gbif.org/species/1848529 (Accessed October 26, 2023)
- LepIndex - The Global Lepidoptera Names Index (Natural History Museum, London) - http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data/lepindex/detail/?taxonno=237722 (Accessed October 26, 2023)