Page 333 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Cimeliidae
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Southern Greece
DISTRIBUTION
DIS
HABIT
A
HABITAT T Hot, dry slopes with sparse vegetation
HABITAT
HOST PLANTS S Euphorbia spp.
T PLANT
HOS
HOST PLANTS
NOTE
NOTE
NO TE Little-known green caterpillar that is found in Greece
A
TUS
A
TION S
T
CONSERV
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1
⁄ in (27–33 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⁄ –¾ in (15–20 mm)
AXIA NESIOTA
AXIA NESIOTA 331
REISSER, 1962
Axia nesiota caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the host plants,
which are found growing in dry, rocky, often hot habitats. The
larvae are active from fall, all through winter, and into early
spring, pupating from February to May. The pupa estivates
during the hot summer months and ecloses in the cooler
fall temperatures.

The adult moths are on the wing from September to November,
with peak numbers seen during October. Although very little The Axia nesiota caterpillar has a plump,
is known about Axia nesiota, it is present in many of the Greek sluglike shape and is bright green in color.
Tiny, white dots are scattered across the body.
islands, with Samos the most easterly, and its range may extend There is a prominent, yellow lateral stripe at the

even farther into Turkey. The genus Axia comprises just ve level of the spiracles. The head and true legs
are pink brown.
species of large, brightly colored, night-flying moths found
only in southern Europe. Axia is classi ed within the family

Cimeliidae, known as the gold moths. A distinctive feature of
the adult is a pair of pocket-like organs on the seventh abdominal
spiracle that may be linked to sound reception.

Actual size