Blastobasis chuka

Blastobasis chuka
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Blastobasidae
Genus: Blastobasis
Species: B. chuka
Binomial name
Blastobasis chuka
Adamski, 2010

Blastobasis chuka is a moth in the Blastobasidae family. It is found in Kenya,[1] where it is known from the south-eastern coast and the central highlands.

The length of the forewings is 6.3–8.2 mm. The submedian fascia are faint. The basal one-third, from the base to the submedian fascia are pale brown intermixed with a few brown scales, the distal two-thirds from the submedian fascia to the margin are brown intermixed with a few pale brown scales. The hindwings are pale grey.

The larvae feed on the fruit of Allophylus abyssinicus, Chrysophyllum gorungosanum, Dictyophleba lucida, Diphasia species, Drypetes gerrardii, Flacourtia indica, Garcinia volkensii, Landolphia buchananii, Passiflora mollisima, Podocarpus latifolius, Prunus africana, Rawsonia lucida and Vepris simplicifolia.

Etymology

The species epithet, chuka, refers to the Chuka Forest, the type locality.

References

  1. Adamski, D., et al. 2010: A Review of African Blastobasinae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Coleophoridae), with New Taxa Reared from Native Fruits in Kenya. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 630: 1-77. Full article:
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