Palaeomystella tibouchinae

Palaeomystella tibouchinae is a moth of the family Agonoxenidae. It is found in Brazil.

Palaeomystella tibouchinae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Agonoxenidae (disputed)
Genus:
Palaeomystella
Species:
P. tibouchinae
Binomial name
Palaeomystella tibouchinae
Becker & Adamski, 2008

The length of the forewings is 9.2-10.3 mm. They are white with a yellowish brown base. The hindwings are brownish gray.

The larvae feed on Tibouchina barbigera. They create a prosoplasmatic histioid gall which is fleshy when young, but becomes hard like a nut shell when mature and dry. It is usually made on leaf insertion with stalk or on leaf blade. The larvae feed on the inner walls, leaving a smooth surface. No traces of frass are found within the chamber. The larvae are pale yellowish brown and 5.5-8.8 mm long.[1]

Etymology

The species epithet tibouchinae is derived from the generic name of its plant host.

References
  1. Becker, V.O. & D. Adamski, 2008: Three new cecidogenous Palaeomystella Fletcher (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae, Momphinae) associated with Melastomataceae in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 52 (4): 647-657. Full article:


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