Epicephala perplexa is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is found on the Ryukyu Archipelago (Amami Island, Okinawa Island, Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island and Yonaguni Island).
Epicephala perplexa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Gracillariidae |
Genus: | Epicephala |
Species: | E. perplexa
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Binomial name | |
Epicephala perplexa Kawakita A, Kato M, 2016
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The wingspan is 8.3–10 mm. The forewings are brown with a narrow white band on the dorsum from the base to 2/3 of the entire length and with three narrow white bands beginning at the dorsal margin near 1/2 to 3/4 length of the wing and extending obliquely toward the wing apex, terminating before reaching mid-width of the wing. Dull white spots are scattered on the costal half and there is a narrow silver band with metallic reflection extending from the costa to the dorsum at 5/6 length. The distal 1/6 is orange-brown with a black dot centrally, franked by a short white band near the dorsum. The distal end is fringed with a narrow white band. The hindwings are brown.
The larvae feed on the seeds of Glochidion lanceolatum.
Etymology
editThe species name refers to the fact that this species remained hidden until a detailed study on species specificity was performed and is derived from Latin perplexus (meaning cryptic).[1]
References
edit- ^ Revision of the Japanese species of Epicephala Meyrick with descriptions of seven new species (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.