Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Marbled Witch
Letis orcynia
DRUCE,
1890
Family - NOCTUIDAE
subfamily -
OPHIDERINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Letis orcynia ( or closely
related species ), Manu cloudforest, 1400m, Peru |
Introduction
There
are 61 species in the genus Letis. All are largish
nocturnal moths with a wingspan of between about 8-12cms, and are confined to
the neotropical region. They are characterised by having a pattern of dark wavy
lines on a light brown ground colour, and a pair of ocelli in the forewing
discal cell. Most species also have a wavy white post median line or band on the
forewings. The wing margins are scalloped in all species, and more pronounced on
the hindwings.
Moths in the closely related genus Ascalapha are
very similar but bear a large ocellus at the tornus of the hindwing. One
particular species Ascalapha odorata is known as
the Black Witch. In some Latin American cultures it is considered bad luck - in
Mexico for example of one of these moths flies into the house of a sick person
it is believed they will die; while in Jamaica it is seen as an evil spirit
returning to inflict harm on the living. Strangely in other cultures it is seen
as a sign of good luck - in the Bahamas it is said that if a Black Witch lands
on you, you will come into money.
Another closely related species is the White Witch
Thysania agrippina, which has a very similar pattern, but a white ground
colour. It measures as much as 32cms ( over 12" ) across the wings, the greatest
wingspan of any moth in the world ( there are other contenders for the title of
largest moth - Attacus atlas from south-east Asia
measures up to 30 cms across the wings but has a greater wing area ).
Letis orcynia
is distributed from Central America to Bolivia.
Habitats
This species is found in forested habitats at altitudes between sea level and
about 1800m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
The moths are commonly attracted to artificial lighting.
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