Genus Fulcrifera

Fulcrifera Danilevskij and Kuznetsov
Type species: luteiceps Kuznetsov

DIAGNOSIS

External characters:

Venation:
Forewing: Chorda originating equidistant from R 1 and R 2, atrophying proximally
Hindwing: R and M 1 approximate basally; M 3 and CuA 1 stalked; CuP atrophying medially.

Forewing shape and markings:
Fulcrifera tricentra male 2
Fulcrifera tricentra : Forewing with short bluish-leaden metallic striae arising from whitish interspaces between costal strigulae; termen slightly sinuate, little oblique.

Additional characters:
Hindwing with anal fold.

Genitalia:

Male:
male gen. Fulcrifera tricentra
Distal part of tegumen variably broad; socius indistinct, terminal, or represented by groups of long hairs only. Neck of valva distinct but short; cucullus large with strong setae (spines) in ventral and anterior portions; the ventro-anterior cluster of spines may extend to the neck on which other hairs or spines are absent. Aedeagus slender, armed with long process, originating from the anellus above the base of the coecum penis.

Female:
fem. gen. Fulcrifera tricentra
Sterigma, a weakly sclerotized scobinate postvaginal plate; surrounding of ostium bursae sclerotic; in some species the edges of that sclerite may extend posteriorly, or form a cup like portion of the sterigma. Ductus bursae slender, colliculum not developed; ductus seminalis median. Subgenital sternite weak.

Early stages:

Fulcrifera tricentra larvae
Details on chaetotaxy unknown.

Biology:

The genus is most probably associated with Fabaceae; larvae live in flowers, seeds and stems; number of generation: probably 1-2 per year. Larvae of Fulcrifera tricentra bore into the shoots of Crotalaria (sannhemp), and form galls in which they feed.

Distribution:

Southern parts of the Palaearctic Region, from North Africa through Arabia, Central Asia as far as to the Kuril Islands. Over 10 species described; one is Oriental in distribution.

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