Micropterix elegans

Micropterix elegans
Micropterix elegans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Micropterigidae
Genus: Micropterix
Species: M. elegans
Binomial name
Micropterix elegans
Stainton, 1867

Micropterix elegans is a species of moth belonging to the family Micropterigidae. It was described by Stainton in 1867.[1] It is known from Israel.

Adults are important pollinators of Cyclamen persicum. They feed on pollen, copulate and oviposit within the flowers. From the rarity of buzz-pollination on their host plant, it is thought that the genus Cyclamen co-evolved with large bees capable of buzz-pollination, but lost its original pollinators for unknown historical reasons. The vacant niche was then open to various unspecialized pollen consumers such as thrips, hoverflies and small solitary bees. These are not specific to C. persicum and seem to play a minor role only, while M. elegans strictly relies upon Cyclamen and seems to be the most efficient pollinator.[2]

References

  1. ^ Micropterix elegans at The Global Lepidoptera Names Index.
  2. ^ An ancient pollinator of a contemporary plant (Cyclamen persicum): When pollination syndromes break down
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