Spirama
Spirama sp., Sri Lanka
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Tribe: Hypopyrini
Genus: Spirama
Guenée in Boisduval & Guenée, 1852[1]
Synonyms
  • Spiramia Walker, 1858

Spirama is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852.

Description

Antennae usually minutely fasciculate (bundled) in the male. Tibia not hairy and mid-tibia spined. Palpi with second joint reaching vertex of head and third joint naked. Thorax and abdomen smoothly clothed with hair. Forewings with nearly rectangular apex. Hindwings with vein 5 from lower angle of cell, which is rather short.[2]

Defensive display

Further information: Deimatic behaviour and Deception in animals

Some of the species, such as S. helicina, S. indenta, S. recessa, S. remota and S. sumbana, have a pattern on the wings that looks like the frontal view of the face of a snake with slightly opened mouth. This pattern is more clearly discernible in females. It may intimidate potential predators and dissuade them from attacking.[3]

Spirama indenta female
Spirama helicina female
Spirama retorta female

Species

Former species

References

  1. ^ Yu, Dicky Sick Ki. "Spirama Guenee 1852". Home of Ichneumonoidea. Taxapad. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Hampson, G. F. (1894). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths Volume II. Taylor and Francis – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ John L. Capinera, Encyclopedia of Entomology, Volume 4, p. 1174

External links

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