- Paralopostega callosa
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Paralopostega callosa Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Opostegidae Genus: Paralopostega Species: P. callosa Binomial name Paralopostega callosa
(Swezey, 1921)Synonyms - Opostega callosa Swezey, 1921
Paralopostega callosa is a moth of the Opostegidae family. It is endemic to Oahu, where it is thought to be widespread in the Koolau Mountains.
The larvae feed on Melicope species, including Melicope lydgatei and Melicope rotundifolia. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine consists of a circular callous-like structure about half an inch in diameter on the upper surface of the leaf. At first, the young larvae creates a very slender mine, later the larva wanders for a time, finally coming to a perfect circle, and then continuing in a close spiral inside of this until the center is reached. A proliferation of tissue is produced and the upper epidermis is thickened up, the larva feeds beneath it until it is fully grown. Pupation takes place outside of the mine in a cocoon which is probably made amongst moss or debris on the ground, and is lenticular in shape. It is made of a pale reddish brown silk.
External links
- Generic Revision of the Opostegidae, with a Synoptic Catalog of the World's Species (Lepidoptera: Nepticuloidea)
- Insects of Hawaii. Volume 9, Microlepidoptera
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