Brachodes flavescens Turati, 1919

Bąkowski, Marek & Kallies, Axel, 2025, Description of the pupae of Brachodes species (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea, Brachodidae) with emphasis on diagnostic generic characters, Zootaxa 5679 (2), pp. 277-285 : 279-281

Brachodes flavescens Turati, 1919

( Figs. 2A,B,C )

One male, pupal exuvium, Italy, Puglia, Castel del Monte , 300 m, 5. iv. 2004, ex larva in Graminae sp. , leg. T. & W. Garrevoet.

Pupal exuvium: Length 11 mm

Blade of head projection reduced to a small point and sharply projecting in dorsal view. Clypeal depression small and fairly deep in ventral view. Frontal setae long and thin, situated clearly behind level of lateral angles of frons in dorsal view. Frons slightly protuberant and without wrinkles. Labrum truncate for a greater distance and with straight or slightly concave sides. Seta Cl 1 and Cl 2 very long, two times longer than distance between both C1 2.

Clypeal setae distinctly longer than frontal setae. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 5× greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Mandibles small. Labium narrow, three times shorter than palpi labiales.

Forewing extending to caudal margin of 4th abdominal segment. Metathoracic legs very long, reach level of caudal margin 6th abdominal segment.

Setae on metanotum very long. Spines of basal row on the 2nd abdominal segment, present.

The 4th abdominal segment bears eight slender spines of basal row between setae D1. The 9th and 10th segments with a pair of hooked dorsal spines. One pair of ventral spines on 10th segment.

Diagnosis. Brachodes flavescens is distinguished from the other species considered in this study by the reduced head projection. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 5× greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Spines of basal row on the 2nd abdominal segment, present. Labium narrow, three times shorter than palpi labiales. Similar to B. cf. rasata , abdominal segments nine and ten each with a pair of hooked dorsal spines. No clear differences were detected between B. flavescens and B. funebris .

Biology. Grass ( Poaceae ). The identity of the hostplant was not established.

Distribution. Italy ( Bertaccini & Fiumi 2002) and Albania ( von Scholley-Pfab 2024).

Remarks. This species belongs to the B. funebris species group, which differs from the B. appendiculata group by the simple antennae (bipectinate in the B. appendiculata group), the simple brown to yellow wing coloration (with distinct whitish or yellowish marks on the forewing and black and white hindwings in the B. appendiculata group).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Morphology of Brachodes flavescens pupa: A. Labrum and vicinity. B. Dorsal abdominal end. C. Ventral abdominal end. Scale bar—0.5 mm.