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Moths of the Amazon and Andes : Trinidad
 
Thyridid moth
Siculodes aurorula
Family - THYRIDIDAE
subfamily -
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Siculodes aurorula, Arima valley, Trinidad
 
Introduction
 
My very first visit to a tropical rainforest was to the Arima valley in northern Trinidad in 1991. While walking along a trial, my attention was caught by what appeared to be a dead leaf, which seemed to have fallen and settled on green foliage. A spider appeared to be sitting on it, but somehow it all looked a bit too symmetrical, so I took a closer look..........
 
Closer examination revealed that the "dead leaf" was in fact the wings of a moth, and the "spider" was it's body and legs.
 
It had adopted an extremely odd posture, with it's body, legs and outstretched wings held in a vertical plane, and had a strange mesmerising effect on me as I watched it. I gave it the nickname "Sit on it's bum moth". For many years I was completely mystified by the insect, but it was was finally identified 10 years later by Mike Shaffer of the British Natural History Museum, as Siculodes aurorula, a member of the Thyrididae. My specimen was the first ever recorded in Trinidad.
 
The wings are a marvellous example of camouflage - perfectly disguised as a dead leaf, complete with windows to simulate the nibblings of insects, and spotted with dark areas that could easily be mistaken for leaf mould.
 
The photograph finally revealed the reason for the incredibly long legs which had long puzzled entomologists who had studied the museum specimen. The moth needed them so that it could rest in this very odd upright posture. The pose is almost threatening. Why would a moth need to stand in such a strange position ? Perhaps when viewed from this angle it might appear sufficiently scary to frighten off a small avian or reptilian predator ? Perhaps it simply needs to raise itself clear of the substrate to avoid getting stuck to it when the leaves are wet with rain ?
 
Habitats
 
Mid elevation tropical rainforest.
 
Lifecycle
 
Unknown.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Other than the fact that it is nocturnal, little is known. The moth could easily be handled during daylight, which suggests that it remains stationary and relies on disguise for protection from predators, rather than fleeing when feeling threatened.

 

 

 

Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.

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