Agdistis adactyla is a moth species in the family Pterophoridae, and the type species of genus Agdistis.[3] It is known from most of the Palearctic realm, where it occurs from central and south-western Europe and North Africa to eastern Asia.
The species is known from Europe, North Africa and Asia, with a type locality in Austria.[4]
Within Europe, the species occurs from southern France and northern Germany eastwards.[5] A single record[6][5] from the Netherlands, 250 km from its nearest known locality,[5] has been deemed an incidental introduction.[7] In Africa, the species is known from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Jordan.[1] In Asia, the species has been recorded from Russia, Israel, Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Afghanistan, Kazachstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia and China.[1]
As with other species in Agdistis, and unlike the rest of the Pterophoridae, the wings of Agdistis adactyla are whole rather than cleft.[5] The wingspan is 20–26 mm.[5] The forewings have four dark spots along the costa, best visible from the underside,[5] and are dark grey in color. The hindwings are also grey with a cream colored fringe.
Specimens found in steppe habitats are brighter and larger than those in saline areas.[2]
The larvae feed on Artemisia campestris, Artemisia scoparia, Chenopodium fruticosum, Erica cinerea and Santolina chamaecyparissus,[1] and may be detritivorous.[8] In Germany, larvae can be found until June.[5]
In Central Europe, the adults are on wing in a single generation, which in Germany occurs in June and July. In southern parts of its range, the species may have multiple generations.[5] Adults are attracted to light.[9]
Agdistis adactyla is a moth species in the family Pterophoridae, and the type species of genus Agdistis. It is known from most of the Palearctic realm, where it occurs from central and south-western Europe and North Africa to eastern Asia.
