Axia, the gold moths, is a genus of moths whose precise relationships within the macrolepidoptera are currently uncertain, but they currently are placed within the superfamily Drepanoidea. 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. The genus was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1821.
One species, Epicimelia theresiae, was formerly included in this genus, but has since been recognized as distinct; it represents the only other described genus in the family. Shen-Horn Yen and Joël Minet (2007) Cimelioidea: A New Superfamily Name for the Gold Moths (Lepidoptera: Glossata). Zoological Studies 46(3): 262-271
Species Axia margarita (Hübner, 1813) Axia napoleona Schawerda, 1926 Axia nesiota Reisser, 1962 Axia olga (Staudinger, 1899) Axia vaulogeri Staudinger, 1892
References
Sources De Freina, J.J. & Witt, T.J, (1987) Die Bombyces und Sphinges der Westpalearktis.; Firefly Encyclopedia of Insects and Spiders, edited by Christopher O'Toole, , 2002
External links