Ptycholomoides Obraztov
Type species: aeriferana Herrich-Schäffer
The genus is monotypic.
DIAGNOSIS
External characters:
Venation:
venation P. aeriferana
Forewing: All veins are separate.
Hindwing: M 3-CuA 1 extending from one point.
Forewing shape and markings:
P. aeriferana male 2
Forewing gradually expanding posteriorly, costa bent, apex short, termen convex, oblique; costal fold well developed, from base to near middle. Ground colour of forewing golden-yellow; hindwing dark brown.
Sexual dimorphism:
Females usually slightly larger than males, similar in colouration and markings, but sometimes with slightly paler golden-yellow ground colour. Forewing of females without costal fold.
Genitalia:
Male:
male genitalia P. aeriferana
Uncus broad with fairly well developed hairy brush; arm of gnathos broadening distally, termination in form of long, ventrally spined rod; socius small. Valva subtriangular, with subdorsal area of folds and distinct sclerite fused with base of transtilla; pulvinus ill-defined, represented by group of long hairs situated below sclerite of disc; sacculus provided with posterior plate. Transtilla expanding laterally and weakly folded in dorsal portions of those broadenings. Aedeagus simple, with short coecum penis and slender caulis.
Female:
female gen. P. aeriferana
Papilla analis flattened laterally; sterigma broad and concave medially; antrum sclerotized inside, forming minute sac anteriorly; ductus seminalis dorsal, situated just before antrum; signum minute.
Early stages:
Larva green, weakly shagreened; head light brown, with darker mottling dorsally; prothoracic plate yellowish brown, blackish medially; anal plate yellowish green. V setae set further apart on the ninth abdominal segment than on the eighth. Spiracles elliptical. Crochets arranged biordinally.
Biology:
In most areas, populations of Ptycholomoides aeriferana undergo a single annual generation involving an obligatory diapause in the second instar larva. They overwinter in silken hibernacula. Larvae feed on Larix, Acer and Betula. Moths are migratory and have been collected in localities where its food plant is not found.
Distribution:
The genus occurs in the Palaearctic Region.