Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Tangerine Furry-legs
Acraga moorei
DYAR, 1898
Superfamily -
ZYGAENOIDEA
Family - DALCERIDAE
subfamily -
ACRAGINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Acraga moorei,
Wayqecha, Manu cloudforest 2950m, Peru |
Introduction
The
family Dalceridae comprises 84 known species, most of which are confined
to South America, with a few representatives reaching the United States.
The moths average about 3cms in wingspan, and are easily recognised as a family
from the very distinctive venation, short pectinate antennae, and the
characteristic resting posture with the wings arched and the long and very hairy
forelegs projecting forward.
The
genus Acraga
contains 40 species found variously from Mexico to Bolivia. Most are unmarked, although a few such as
leberna
and angulifera
are whitish with suffused darker markings. There are several yellow species
including coa, sulphurea
and flava.
I have only recorded
Acraga moorei in Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, but it probably occurs over
much of the neotropics.
Habitats
The specimen depicted
here was photographed at an altitude of 2950 metres at Wayqecha - an elfin
forest habitat at the cloudforest / puna grassland transition zone in the
eastern Andes, Peru.
Lifecycle
The caterpillars of all Dalceridae are slug-like and covered
in gelatinous tubercles.
Adult behaviour
The moths are active in the early part of the evening and can be
attracted to mercury vapour lamps. They rest during daylight hours
beneath leaves.
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