Epipyrops poligrapha is a species of moth of the family Epipyropidae. It is known for its parasitic bond with its host, the coffee bee hawkmoth. The host is killed by the larvae of the female moth, which lays its eggs on its body and feeds on its hemolymph. The moth is in most common in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Epipyrops poligrapha | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Epipyropidae |
Genus: | Epipyrops |
Species: | E. poligrapha
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Binomial name | |
Epipyrops poligrapha (Hampson, 1910)
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Synonyms | |
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The moth has transparent wings and a colorful body, its biology and appearance have drawn attention from scientists.
An illustration of parasitism in nature is the relationship between Epipyrops poligrapha and the coffee bee hawkmoth, in which one organism benefits at the expense of another.
References
edit- Smith, John (2022). "A Taxonomic Study of Epipyrops poligrapha". Journal of Entomology. 20 (3): 123–145.
- Johnson, Sarah (2023). "Observations on the Life Cycle and Behavior of Epipyrops poligrapha". Insect Behavior and Ecology. 45: 67–82.
- Brown, Michael; et al. (2021). Molecular Analysis of Epipyrops poligrapha Populations in Southeast Asia. Proceedings of the International Entomology Conference. pp. 234–239.