Hesperoferus machadoi (Sama & Schurmann, 1983)
habitat & biology
Hesperoferus machadoi - locality
Hesperoferus machadoi - locality
[Photo © David Navrátil]

Locality I of Hesperoferus machadoi: Tamaimo environs (652 m a.s.l., NE of Puerto de Santiago, West Tenerife, Canary Islands).

Hesperoferus machadoi - locality
[Photo © David Navrátil]

Locality II of Hesperoferus machadoi: Chio environs (831 m a.s.l., West Tenerife, Canary Islands).

Hesperoferus machadoi - argyranthemum
[Photo © David Navrátil]

Argyranthemum gracile Webb ex Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) is one of the key host plants of H. machadoi. Argyranthemum gracile, an endemic species to Tenerife Island, is richly branched half-bush reaching 40-120 cm with only two-three lobe green bald leaves. It grows in succulent bush as well as in pine forests, rising to an altitude of around 600 m a.s.l. and blooms from February until September.

Hesperoferus machadoi - argyranthemum
[Photo © David Navrátil]
↑ - Argyranthemum gracile attacked by Hesperoferus machadoi: frass produced by feeding larvae [A] and exit holes [B].
↓ - Hesperoferus machadoi: pupa [C] and immature adult with pupal cell [D].

Hesperoferus machadoi - developmental stages
[Photo © David Navrátil]