Speiredonia

Speiredonia
Speiredonia spectans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Euarthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Superfamily:Noctuoidea
Family:Erebidae
Tribe:Hulodini
Genus:Speiredonia
Hübner, [1823][1]
Synonyms
  • Sericia Guenée, 1852
  • Spiredonia Agassiz, 1847

Speiredonia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823

Description

Palpi with thickened second joint, reaching vertex of head and third joint of moderate length. Antennae of male with minute fascicules of cilia. Thorax quadrately scaled. Abdomen with dorsal ridges of hair. Tibia slightly hairy, and mid tibia spineless. Forewings with arched costa towards apex. Cilia crenulate. Hindwings with crenulate cilia as well, but with short cell. Vein 5 from lower angle of cell.[2]

Defensive display

Some of the species, such as Speiredonia spectans, S. cthulhui, S. hogenesi, S. martabanica, S. sandokana, S. alix. S. itynx, S. levis and S. celebensis have a pattern on the wings that while the moth is at rest looks like the 3-dimensional face of a lurking animal with eyes and nostrils. This pattern is more clearly discernible in females[3] and may cause an attacking predator to hesitate or perhaps withdraw.[4]

Speiredonia spectans resting mimicking a head

Species

References

  1. ↑ Yu, Dicky Sick Ki (1997–2012). "Speiredonia Hubner 1823". Home of Ichneumonoidea. Taxapad. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ Hampson G. F. (1892). "The Fauna Of British India Including Ceylon And Burma Moths Vol-ii". Digital Library of India. p. 558. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  3. ↑ An Overview Of The Genus Speiredonia With Description Of Seven New Species
  4. ↑ John L. Capinera, Encyclopedia of Entomology, Volume 4, p. 1174
  • Data related to Speiredonia at Wikispecies
  • Media related to Speiredonia at Wikimedia Commons
  • Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul. "Search results Family: Noctuidae". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London.
  • Savela, Markku. "Speiredonia Hübner, [1823]". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved July 24, 2018.


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