Milionia zonea, commonly known as pine moth, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae.[1] It was first described in 1888 by the English entomologist, Herbert Druce.[2] The species was considered to be a synonym of Milionia basalis however it was listed as a valid species in 2005 by Japanese entomologist, Hiromitsu Inoue, based on its distinct genetic characteristics.[3]

Milionia zonea
Adult (top) and larva (bottom)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Milionia
Species:
M. zonea
Binomial name
Milionia zonea
Druce, 1888

It is a diurnal (day flying) looper moth, found in Taiwan, Japan through to Sundaland and the Philippines.[4] In 2016 it was detected in Hong Kong.

It has black wings with a sapphire blue luster, wide orange banding stripes on its fore and hind-wings, several round black spots on the orange stripes of its hind wings, and a wingspan of 54–59 mm (2.1–2.3 in).[1]

Subspecies

edit

It has two subspecies:

  • Milionia zonea pryeri
  • Milionia zonea zonea

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Wu, Shipher. "Milionia zonea (M .pryeri) (Druce, 1888)". Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  2. ^ Savela, Markku (1888). "Milionia zonea pryeri Druce". Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "Milionia zonea pryeri Druce, 1888" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Taiwan Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ Holloway, J.D. (2011). The Moths of Borneo: part 2; Families Phaudidae, Himantopteridae and Zygaenidae; revised and annotated checklist. Malayan Nature Journal 63 (1-2): 1-548.