MOTHS OF JAMAICA
SPECIES LISTS BY FAMILY
Arctiidae: Lithosiinae


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SUBFAMILY DESCRIPTION
The subfamily LITHOSIINAE tend to be smaller species - most with wingspans in the range of 10 to 15 mm, with few exceeding 20 mm. The forewing tends to be longer and narrower than the broad hindwing. There are estimated to be about 2,000 species, reaching their peak of diversity in the tropics of New and Old Worlds. Larvae of Lithosiines, unusually, feed upon algae and the algal component of lichens. This subfamily has not been revised for the neotropics, except in part, since the work of Hampson (1900, 1914).

Jamaican species of this subfamily are generally small to very small in size , with characteristic wing markings of black speckling on a white background. The Lithosiinae of the endemic Jamaican genera Cincia, Amplicincia, Paracincia and Parvicincia were reviewed by Field (1950) but he illustrated only genitalia and not adults.I have dissected very few of my small number of Jamaican specimens and hence give here only the information given by Field (in Field (1950) plus his paper on Mulona (Field (1952)) plus some information on Gowdey’s records (Gowdey,1926). There are doubtless many other Jamaican species awaiting discovery in this large but understudied subfamily.

JAMAICAN SPECIES
I catalogue here 14 species of this subfamily in Jamaica - all of which are endemic - as listed below. Click on any underlined species names to go to a colour illustration of the adult, where available (and sometimes its genitalia) and brief information on the species.


The genus Mulona
  • Mulona grisea Hampson

    The genus Afrida
  • Afrida mesomelaena Hampson
  • Afrida tortriciformis Moschler

    The genus Palpidia
  • Palpidia melanotricha Hampson

    The genus Cincia
  • Cincia conspersa Walker
  • Cincia sordida Moschler

    The genus Parvicincia
  • Parvicincia belli Field

    The genus Paracincia
  • Paracincia butleri Field
  • Paracincia dognini Field

    The genus Amplicincia
  • Amplicincia mixta Moschler
  • Amplicincia pallida Butler
  • Amplicincia fletcheri Field
  • Amplicincia lathyi Field
  • Amplicincia walkeri Field


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