Pyropteron muscaeforme

Pyropteron muscaeforme
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Sesiidae
Genus:	Pyropteron
Subgenus:	Synansphecia
Species:	P. muscaeforme
Binomial name
Pyropteron muscaeforme (Esper, 1783)
Synonyms
Sesia philanthiformis Sphinx muscaeforme Esper, 1783 Laspeyres, 1801 Chamaesphecia aestivata Synansphecia muscaeforme Králícek, 1969 Pyropteron muscaeformis de Joannis, 1908 Sesia occidentale

Pyropteron muscaeforme, the thrift clearwing, is a moth of the family Sesiidae. It is known from most of Europe. A small member of its genus, the wingspan is 15–18 mm. It is further distinguished by narrow clear (transparent) spaces on the blackish, or bronzy, forewings. There are three whitish bands on the body, and traces of a whitish line along the middle of the back.

Figs, 4 larva after last moult 4a, 4b tufts of thrift (Statice armeria) burrowed by the larva 4b showing the long tubular gallery in which the pupa is contained

Adults can be found on the flowers of the host plant, as well as on thyme (Thymus vulgaris). It overwinters as a larva. The larvae feed on in the roots and crown of thrift (Armeria maritima).

Ecology

It is found on exposed rocky areas where its larval food plant occurs.

Subspecies

• Pyropteron muscaeforme muscaeforme
• Pyropteron muscaeforme occidentale (de Joannis, 1908)
• Pyropteron muscaeforme lusohispanicum Lastuvka & Lastuvka, 2007

External links

• UKMoths
• Data related to Pyropteron (Synansphecia) at Wikispecies
• Media related to Pyropteron muscaeformis at Wikimedia Commons