Update on aspects of ethoecology for the exceedingly restricted and most outstanding Italian endemic moth, Brahmaea (Acanthobrahmaea) europaea Hartig (Lepidoptera: Brahmaeidae)

Abstract

Brahmaea (Acanthobrahmaea) europaea Hartig, 1963, is an Italian endemic species exhibiting a very restricted geographic distribution (Basilicata and Campania regions, Grotticelle di Monticchio Nature Reserve and neighbouring areas), and with a few Oleaceae (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa, Ligustrum vulgare and Phyllirea latifolia) as host plants. Before 1997 only adult moths were collected with artificial light. After 1997, egg clusters and larvae were located, inside and outside the Reserve, so allowing to investigate the specific habitat preference, conservation status and survival of B. europaea in order to draw up strategies for the conservation of this species. The comparison of the egg clusters found 2014-2017, has revealed interesting common characteristics even if the preliminary conditions need to be confirmed by further studies. During the spring of the 2021, the discovery of another egg cluster allowed amplified and further defined what emerged from the researches at date on some aspects of ethology and ecology of the moth.