Gold moths, family Axiidae, are a very small family of only six Palearctic species in the Mediterranean region, mostly in the genus Axia. The family is in the superfamily Drepanoidea, in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults medium size (23–30 mm wingspan), with head scaling normal; labial palpi slightly porrect but very short; maxillary palpi vestigial; antennae bipectinate. Wings elongated and triangular, with relatively acute forewing apex; hindwings triangular and rounded (Fig. 28). Maculation mostly shades of brown to pink, but with at least one bright iridescent mark (often golden color); hindwings unicolorous. Adults nocturnal. Larvae are leaf feeders. Host plants all are in Euphorbiaceae.
Example of gold moths (Axiidae), Axia theresiae schelhornae Amsel from Iran.
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Heppner, J.B. (2008). Gold Moths (Lepidoptera: Axiidae). In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_1133
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