Cosmopterix astrapias
Walsingham, 1909
Cosmopterix astrapias is a small in the Cosmopterigidae, described by Walsingham in 1909. It has a broad distribution across the Americas, from the eastern and southwestern United States through the Caribbean and Central America to northern Argentina. The is associated with Ipomoea plants, on which its larvae are leaf miners.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cosmopterix astrapias: //kɒzˈmɒptərɪks æˈstreɪpiəs//
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Identification
Distinguished from by the combination of: six white lines in forewing basal area (variable in length and thickness); bright orange-yellow transverse fascia with tubercular pale golden metallic inner fascia and paired costal/ outer spots; and the distinctive pattern with white line from base to two-thirds followed by complex terminal segmentation. The dorsal metallic spot being three times larger than the costal spot is a notable feature. Similar in Cosmopterix require examination of genitalia for definitive identification.
Distribution
United States (Massachusetts and northwest Arkansas south to southern Florida, southern Texas, and southern Arizona), Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Rica, Mexico (Tabasco), Argentina (Salta and Tucumán).
Seasonality
collected throughout the year. Multiple overlapping in tropical areas; double-brooded in northern part of range.
Diet
Larvae feed on Ipomoea , including Ipomoea neei in Rica.
Host Associations
- Ipomoea neei - larval Rica
Life Cycle
Larval stage mines leaves of plant. present year-round in tropical regions.
Behavior
Larvae are leaf miners, feeding internally within plant leaves.
Similar Taxa
- Other Cosmopterix speciesMany share similar size, metallic markings, and white forewing lines; require detailed examination of pattern elements and often genitalia for separation.
More Details
Variation
The white lines in the forewing basal area show variation in length and thickness: first subcostal varies from one-quarter to one-third of wing length; medial varies from short in middle of area to starting just beyond base almost to transverse fascia, sometimes interrupted in middle; varies from complete line to just a few white . The width of the transverse fascia and shape of bordering tubercular fascia and spots are variable. The white subapical antennal ring of four segments can be narrowed by partly brown scales or widened to six segments, sometimes followed by narrow white ring of two segments; white apex can be reduced by up to three white segments.