The distribution of O. minoa
is not dissimilar to that of O. candica with the exception of the latters occurence, albeit rare in southern Italy.
O. minoa was first described from Cete by C and A. Alibertis as O. candica subsp. minoa in 1989 but was subsequently promoted to full species status in 1991 by Delforge. Its name refers to the son of Zeus and King of Crete, Minos from which the Minoan culture of Crete was named. Despite its original discovery in Crete, the centre of its distribution are the Aegean islands of Rhodes and Samos together with adjacent areas of south western Turkey where it is uncommon and can be easily confused with the similar O. candica, a species with which it shares similar habitat preferences.
As can be seen from the photos, the lip shape of the species is usually rectangular or vaguely trapezoidal with flared margins and a variable but distinctive specular pattern. The basic speculum colouration is typically violet to blue, often with deep red overtones running through it. The pattern is invariably edged with a heavy white to pale yellow border (often referred to as candicoid). O. minoa is a member of the O. bornmuelleri group and as is typical of this family, exhibits a complete, broad, hairy band around the margins of the lip. This species can be easily confused with O. candica but differs in respect of its slightly smaller size and its longer, well developed protuberences. It shares the same pollinator as O. candica and some authorities regard the two species as synonymous. The pictures are all from Rhodes, dating from the second week of April.
O. minoa was first described from Cete by C and A. Alibertis as O. candica subsp. minoa in 1989 but was subsequently promoted to full species status in 1991 by Delforge. Its name refers to the son of Zeus and King of Crete, Minos from which the Minoan culture of Crete was named. Despite its original discovery in Crete, the centre of its distribution are the Aegean islands of Rhodes and Samos together with adjacent areas of south western Turkey where it is uncommon and can be easily confused with the similar O. candica, a species with which it shares similar habitat preferences.
As can be seen from the photos, the lip shape of the species is usually rectangular or vaguely trapezoidal with flared margins and a variable but distinctive specular pattern. The basic speculum colouration is typically violet to blue, often with deep red overtones running through it. The pattern is invariably edged with a heavy white to pale yellow border (often referred to as candicoid). O. minoa is a member of the O. bornmuelleri group and as is typical of this family, exhibits a complete, broad, hairy band around the margins of the lip. This species can be easily confused with O. candica but differs in respect of its slightly smaller size and its longer, well developed protuberences. It shares the same pollinator as O. candica and some authorities regard the two species as synonymous. The pictures are all from Rhodes, dating from the second week of April.
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