Spilosoma Explained

Spilosoma is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae originally described by John Curtis in 1825. A very heterogeneous group, it is in need of review by the scientific community, as certain species probably need reclassification into their own genera.

Description

Palpi short, porrect (extending forward) and fringed with hair. Antennae bipectinate (comb like on both sides) in male and serrate in female. Mid tibia with a terminal pair of minute spurs and hind tibia with two spur pairs. Forewings are rather long and narrow. Veins 3 to 5 from angle of cell. Vein 6 from upper angle and veins 7 to 10 are stalked. Hindwings with veins 3 to 5 from angle of cell. Veins 6 and 7 from upper angle. Vein 8 from middle of cell. Female with an abdominal tuft developed in most cases.[1]

Species more or less related to the type species

Erythrophleps species group

Subgenus Rhagonis Walker, 1862 or a separate genus

Subgenus Rhodareas Kirby, 1892

Spilosoma sensu lato species not congeneric to the type species

Species of unclear status

Species separated into Ardices

Species separated into Toulgarctia

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hampson, G. F. . George Hampson

    . George Hampson . 1894 . The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths Volume II . Taylor and Francis . Biodiversity Heritage Library.

  2. Web site: Holloway . Jeremy Daniel . Spilosoma ericsoni Semper . The Moths of Borneo . January 22, 2019.