Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Sky Pointing moth
Agathodes designalis
GUENÉE, 1854
Superfamily -
PYRALOIDEA
Family - CRAMBIDAE
subfamily -
SPILOMELINAE
Agathodes designalis,
Rio Pindayo, Peru
Introduction
The Pyraloidea is estimated to contain
over
30000 species, although currently only 16000 have been scientifically described.
They are a very diverse group which includes Clothes moths ( Tineodidae ),
Plume moths
( Pterophoridae ),
Many-plumed moth (
Alucitidae ),
Picture-wing
moths ( Thyrididae ),
and China-mark, Pyralid
and Grass moths ( Crambidae ).
The long legs and very long backswept antennae are typical of the Pyraloidea.
There are 17 known species in the genus Agathodes
but it is likely that the true number of species is considerably higher. The
moths all adopt the jet-fighter resting posture although some species
rest with the abdomen raised vertically or canted sideways, while others curve
it forwards over the back, scorpion-style.
Agathodes
designalis is found in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil.
Habitats
The illustrated species was photographed in rainforest at Rio Pindayo in eastern
Peru, at a altitude of about 200m. Many other very similar species occur
at higher altitudes, e.g. up to at least 2500m in the cloudforests of Manu
national park.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
To be completed.
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