MOTHS OF JAMAICA
SPECIES LISTS BY FAMILY
Arctiidae: Lithosiinae
| BACK TO LIST OF MOTH FAMILIES |
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 Gowdeys 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
| BACK TO LIST OF FAMILIES |