Naarda Explained

Naarda is a large genus of erebid moths currently encompassing 108 species.[1] [2] Initially identified by Francis Walker in 1866,[3] it is in the family Erebidae.[4] Somewhat ruddy in appearance, this genus is distinguishable for its generally slender thorax and abdomen, and straight, porrect labial palpi. Most species are a light tan color, but shading can reach as deep as a charcoal, with muddy yellow, conspicuous reniform, orbicular stigmata featured on the forewings, sometimes reflected bilaterally superior. (Though these may be significantly more minute and successively annular.)

Physical features

The wingspan is between 19-22mm, dependent on the species.[5]

The rami of the antenna are, at the maximum of its width, 9-10 times longer than the axis of the antenna, and the apical segments lack the rami.

Aside from the elongated and easily recognizable porrect labial palpi of both sexes, (which are usually 5 times as long as the diameter of the eye, with the tertiary segment comparatively longer), and the relatively broad forewings with straight and even costa, substantial dissimilarity is present in the male sex.[6]

Male

The most prominent autapomorphy is the uncus structure, which resembles the head of a long-billed bird.[7] The uncus has a large, rounded subbasal dorsal bulb bearing a small, acute frontal spine and a large group of long hairs standing apart, (in the likeness of a forelock), and a long, straight, atypically dilated rounded distal section.[7] [3]

Other recurrent traits of the clasping apparatus across the entirety of the Naarda genus include the substantially broad tegumen; the well-developed and stout transtilla; and the variably broad, generally triangular valvae. The entire structure resembles a flying bird.[7] [8]

The phallus is short, straight, and thick; the vesica is inflated and basally broad. In most species, the ductus ejaculatoris is directed forward in the axis of the phallus. The cornutus is variably large, and its texture resembles that of a sponge cake.[7]

Range

Of the 108 known species, virtually the entirety have been discovered in Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, but a handful are in the northern Australian region.[7]

Countries where Naarda genus has been documented:

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Naarda (genus). 2004–2008. BayScience Foundation, Inc.. 2008-08-20.
  2. Web site: Gynaephila . Mindat . Hudson Institute of Mineralogy . 5 May 2021 . https://www.mindat.org/a/hudsoninstituteofmineralogy.
  3. Tóth . Balázs . New data on the taxonomy, morphology and distribution of Naarda ineffectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Hypeninae) . Nota Lepidopterologica . 23 February 2018 . 41 . 1 . 99–106 . 10.3897/nl.41.21584 . free .
  4. Web site: Savela . Markku . February 24, 2012 . Naarda Walker, 1866 . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . February 4, 2020.
  5. Tóth . Balázs . Ronkay . László . Revision of the Palaearctic and Oriental species of the genus Naarda Walker, 1866 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Hypeninae). Part 5. Description of 13 new species from Asia . Zootaxa . 27 February 2015 . 3925 . 2 . 179–201 . 10.11646/zootaxa.3925.2.2 . 25781738 .
  6. Web site: Naarda Walker, 1866 . AfroMoths . 5 May 2021.
  7. Tóth . Balázs . Ronkay . Laslo . Revision of the Palaearctic and Oriental species of the genus Naarda Walker, 1866 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Hypeninae). Part 3. Description of three new species from Asia . Nota Lepidopterologica . 15 June 2014 . 37 . 1 . 9–18 . 10.3897/nl.37.7957 . free .
  8. Web site: NAARDA Genus Details . Natural History Museum . NHM . 5 May 2021.

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