Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Scorpion moth
Agathodes (
unidentified species,
ref 002 )
Superfamily -
PYRALOIDEA
Family - CRAMBIDAE
subfamily -
PYRAUSTINAE
Tribe - SPILOMELINI
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
|
 |
|
Agathodes
sp 001, Wayqecha, Manu cloudforest 2950m, Peru |
Introduction
The superfamily Pyraloidea is estimated to contain about 30,000 moth species,
though currently a mere 16,000 have been scientifically described. These species
are distributed widely throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world,
although the neotropics have by far the greatest biodiversity and abundance.
The Pyraloidea are an extremely diverse group, which includes the
Bagworm and Clothes moths, Plume moths, Many-plumed moths,
Picture-wing
moths,
China-marks, Pyralids and Grass moths.
Members of the tribe Spilomelini are found as far apart as Australia, Arizona
and Peru. They include an unknown number
of small species with a generally similar pattern of marbled white and purplish
makings on an olive or buff ground colour.
Habitats
This is a high elevation species which was found at 2950m in the cloudforests of
the eastern Andes. There are many very similar species which occur at lower
altitudes.
Lifecycle
Unknown.
Adult behaviour
The most notable characteristic
is the extraordinary stance adopted when the moths are at rest. Each
Agathodes species has it's own peculiar posture - some rest with the abdomen raised
vertically or canted sideways, while others curve it forwards over the back,
scorpion-style.
|
