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Ammopolia witzenmanni is a rare, medium-sized moth belonging to the family Noctuidae. Endemic to the Mediterranean, it is a monotypic genus (the only species in its genus) primarily found in dry evergreen sclerophyll and Mediterranean shrublands across France, Spain, and North Africa.
Taxonomic and Physical Profile
Classification: Insecta (class) > Lepidoptera (order) > Noctuidae (family) > Xylenini (tribe).Wingspan: 38 to 44 mm.
Appearance: Features grayish-brown forewings with intricate, darker markings and significantly lighter, often whitish hindwings.
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Discovery: Originally described as Orthosia witzenmanni in 1890 by Richard Standfuss, it was later designated as the type species for the new genus Ammopolia by Charles Boursin in 1955.
Habitat and Ecology
Distribution: Primarily inhabits the Mediterranean basin. You can find detailed occurrences mapped out globally on the GBIF Occurrence Data.
Host Plants: Larvae feed on specific Mediterranean woody plants, such as the evergreen buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus).
Ecology: The seasonal activity of these insects strongly ties to the availability of new leaf flushes in spring, making them a specialized part of Mediterranean evergreen and relict forests.
