MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF Azochis gripusalis WALKER, 1859 (PYRAUSTIDAE - LEPIDOPTERA)

Abstract

For the purpose of understanding the external morphology of the adult of the Azochis gripusalis Walker, 1859 (Pyraustidae - Lepidoptera), a study was made of the head in dorsal, ventral, front, back and lateral views, of the thorax in dorsal, ventral and lateral views, of the front and back wings, of the prothoracic, mesothoracic and metathoracic legs, and of the abdomen in lateral view. The Azochis gripusalis is known by its large, dark ocelli; the sucking pump is well developed. The maxillary palps (feelers) are small; the labial ones along with the middle segment are larger than the other segments. The thorax is straw-yellow with groups of shiny, light gray scales. The prothorax is very restricted in size. The mesothorax is larger than the prothorax and the metathorax put together. The front wings are triangular, shiny straw-yellow, with groups of dark brown scales arranged obliquely, forming isolated dark spots, measuring from 13 to 16 mm in length and having 13 veins all of which, with the exception of 3A, touch the edge of the wing.  The veins R¹, R² and R5 emerge directly from the discoidal cavity. R³ and R4 at the vertex of the wing are slightly bent downward. R², R³ and R4 form a trident (crotch). The back wings are semi-elliptcal, shiny straw-yellow, with groups of dark, irregular scales, and have 10 veins, all of which touch the edge of the wing. R², R³, R4 and R5 are fused. The discoidal cavity is open. Cu¹ emerges from the back angle of the discoidal cavity. 1A and 2A are fused at the base. The anal veins touch the edge of the wing. The wings, when resting, remain partially open. The legs display tibial spurs arranged according to the formula 0-2-4, respectively. The abdomen, dorsally, is shiny straw-yel1ow, with groups of slightly darkened scales between the segments. Eight segments are clearly distinguished. The sixth segment is slightly bent upward; nine and ten are fused.