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Axia is an apparently unvalid name[1] given to a family of moths whose precise relationships within the Macrolepidoptera[2] are currently uncertain. Uniquely, they have a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal spiracle of the adult moth (Minet, 1999) which are only possibly sound receptive organs (Minet and Surlykke, 2003). 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 (Minet, 1999).
- Note that there is a second family Axiidae in the Crustacea (see Axius).
[edit] References
- Minet, J. (1999). The Axioidea and Calliduloidea. Pp. 257-261 in Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.). Lepidoptera, Moths and Butterflies. Volume 1: Evolution, Systematics, and Biogeography. Handbuch der Zoologie. Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches / Handbook of Zoology. A Natural History of the phyla of the Animal Kingdom. Band / Volume IV Arthropoda: Insecta Teilband / Part 35: 491 pp. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, New York.
- Minet, J. and Surlykke, A. (2003). Chapter 11. Auditory and sound producing organs. In: Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.), Lepidoptera, moths and butterflies. Handbuch der Zoologie / Handbook of Zoology Eine Naturgeschichte der Stämme des Tierreiches / A Natural History of the Phyla of the Animal Kingdom, Band/Volume IV, Teilband/Part 36 . Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. 576 pp.
[edit] 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
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