Brachodes compar (Staudinger, 1879)

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

Brachodes compar (Staudinger, 1879)

( Figs. 1A–E )

One female, pupal exuvia, Turkey, Icel , Sertavul gecidi, 1700 m, 7.vii.2003, leg. T. & W. Garrevoet & N. Vandorpe.

Pupal exuvia: Length 13 mm

Head projection blade large, rounded. The dark margin not robust. Frontal setae long and thin, situated clearly behind level of lateral angles of frons in dorsal view. Clypeal depression fairly deep in ventral view and bears distinct lateral mounds. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 1.3× greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Seta Cl 1 very long, two times longer than distance between both C1 2. Labrum large, truncate for a greater distance and with straight sides, slightly wrinkled. Labium short and large, slightly elevated in basal part. Palpi labiales very short, two times longer than labium. Mandibles wide, circular in shape.

Forewing extending to apical margin of 3rd abdominal segment; hindwing hidden under forewing extending to half of 2nd abdominal segment.

Ends of metathoracic legs extending to apical margin of 5th abdominal segment. Ventral edge of subdorsal furrow on mesonotum weak. Spines of apical row on the 2nd abdominal segment, absent. The 4th abdominal segment bears six slender spines of basal row between setae D1. Crevices between them wider, bow-like. The 9th segment with four dorsal spines, the 10th segment with a pair of strong dorsal spines. The ventral spines on 10th segment absent in the studied specimen. End of abdomen obtuse without lateral spines.

Diagnosis. Brachodes compar is distinguished from B. funebris and B. flavescens by the presence of four dorsal spines on 9th segment. Four dorsal spines were also present on the 9th segment of some pupae of B. gaditana . In B. funebris and B. flavescens 9th segments with a pair of hooked dorsal spines. In B. compar head projection blade large, rounded. Distance between clypeal setae C1 2 approximately 1.3 × greater than distance between C1 2 and Cl 1. Spines of apical row on the 2nd abdominal segment absent. Labium short and large, slightly elevated in basal part, palpi labiales very short, two times longer than labium. The 10th segment with a pair of strong dorsal spines.

Biology. Grass ( Poaceae ). The identity of the hostplant was not established.The related Brachodes appendiculata has been reported to feed in Festuca roots.

Distribution. Turkey, possibly stretching from southeastern Europe ( Croatia, Greece) to central Asia ( Kyrgyzstan) (Kallies unpublished).

Remarks. This species belongs to the B. appendiculata (Esper, 1783) group, thus is closely related to the type species of the genus. The type material is from Turkey. Similar specimens have been collected in Croatia, Greece, Iran and Kyrgyzstan; however, their identity needs to be firmly established.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Morphology of Brachodes compar pupa: A. Labrum and vicinity. B. Ventral view. C. Lateral view of frons. D. Ventral abdominal end. E. Dorsal abdominal end. Scale bar—0.5 mm.