Anthophila threnodes Walsingham 1910

Anthophila threnodes is characterized by its dark, almost black wings and a scattering of light bluish scales on the thoracic dorsum and forewing upperside (Figs 1, 2). The forewings have a cream-white spot at two-thirds of costa and another such spot at four-fifths of the dorsum; fringes are black and cream-white beyond black fringe-line. Hindwings are uniform dark brown. Male genitalia (Fig. 9). Tegumen triangular with small uncus extending from its apex. Papillae anales present as elongate, somewhat elliptical patches with long hairs. Gnathos well developed as a long, somewhat curved, pointed hook. Vinculum ventrally rounded with a small, triangular saccus (obscured in Fig. 9a, but visible in slide JR2013-04, which is not illustrated). Valva broad, somewhat oval, with a pointed costal process and an unsclerotized triangular, rounded extension distally; distally and ventrally covered with hairs. Juxta as a hood-like plate (in Fig. 9b attached to phallus). Phallus shorter than valva, slightly sigmoidal, with a sharp spine at one-third from apex (Fig. 9c). Female genitalia (Fig. 10). Apophysis posterioris slender, slightly broader at base; ca. 1.5 times as long as anterioris and much less thick. Apophysis anterioris greatly enlarged in the middle, tapering basally and even more so distally. Ostium on segment 7. Ductus bursae very gradually widening into corpus, with a slight twist of about one to two revolutions. Corpus bursae oval, small, with a signum as small patch of dentations (Fig. 10b).

Anthophila threnodes is a moth of the family Choreutidae. It is known from Madeira. The habitat consists of open landscapes at low altitudes.

The forewings have a cream-white spot at two-thirds of the costa and another such spot at four-fifths of the dorsum. The hindwings are uniform dark brown. Adults are on wing in February, March, May and July in at least two generations per year. The adults fly during the day.

The larvae feed on Urtica membranacea and possibly other Urtica species, spinning a thin web on or around the young leaves on which it feeds. The larvae are off-white with dark brown spots. They have been found in March, May and November. Pupation takes place in a reddish-brown pupa.