Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Scalloped Hookwing
Patalene
asychisaria
WALKER,
1860
Family - GEOMETRIDAE
subfamily -
ENNOMINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Patalene asychisaria, Rio Madre
d Dios, Peru |
Introduction
The
genus Patalene includes between 12 - 20 species,
which are variously found from the southern United States to Paraguay and
Argentina.
The moths can easily be confused
with Drepanidae, in fact at least 2 species were formerly placed within that
family but were subsequently reassigned to the Geometridae.
Characteristics shared by the
various Patalene species include a falcate apex,
strongly dentate termen, and long antennae. Most of the species are brown with
darker speckling, and have a prominent dark median line on fore and hind wings.
Patalene asychisaria is atypical in having this
line scalloped and hyaline. The resemblance to a withered leaf is remarkable.
I have found this species in Brazil
( Mato Grosso ) and in Peru. It also occurs in Guyana, so it probably occurs
throughout the Amazonian region.
Habitats
I cannot locate any published data, but on the basis of the specimens I have
found, the moth seems to be found mainly at altitudes between about 200-800m. I
have not found it in cloudforest habitats.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle is unknown.
The
related species Patalene olyzonaria has a larva
that is long and thin, dark brownish in colour, and has a series of diamond-like
markings along the back. It feeds on pine, and strongly resembles a pine twig.
Patalene asychisaria is a rainforest species so
will not be a pine-feeder, but is likely also to be twig-like in appearance.
Adult behaviour
The moths are attracted to tungsten and fluorescent lighting early
in the evening, and rest during daylight amongst leaf litter.
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