sexual dimorphism in the wing shape and size of the carob moth, ectomyelois ceratoniae (lepidoptera: pyralidae)

the carob moth, ectomyelois ceratoniae (zeller), belongs to the family pyralidae and the subfamily phycitinae. in spite of some features of sexual dimorphism in size and shape in the order lepidoptera and the mentioned family, it has not been recorded in this species. in the current study, sexual dimorphism in the wing shape and size of carob moth on four hosts (pomegranate, fig, pistachio and walnut) were detected using landmark- based geometric morphometric and analysis of partial warp scores and centroid sizes. the analysis showed significant wing shape differences (fore wing: p = 1.315e-011, hind wing: p = 1.168e-007) which was the same on all tested hosts. geometric changes in the fore and hind wing of both sexes were illustrated. analyses of size showed wings of the females are bigger than those of the males (fore wing: f = 23.19, p = 0.000; hind wing: f = 16.73, p = 0.000) on tested hosts and in spite of allometric growth in test specimens, significant shape differences are still remain in constant size.