Ephialtias
James S. Miller and Andrew V. Z. Brower![taxon links](/Public/treeImages/Ephialtias.png?x=-1274002265)
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A genus of medium-sized neotropical day-flying moths, most with yellow or orange transverse bands on the forewings. Members of Ephiltias are involved in presumed Müllerian mimicry with a variety of other dioptines, arctiids, and other lepidopteran taxa. Recorded larval host plants are Turnera (Turneraceae) and Lindackeria (Achariaceae).
Characteristics
Most species of Ephialtias exhibit a row of yellow or whitish spots on the dorsum of the abdomen, but not all do. Males may be distinguished from similar Getta spp. by the absence of androconial brands on the wings. The most reliable means to verify membership in the genus is by genitalic characters, including elaborate androconial structures on the male valvae (Miller 2009). While hindwing patterns of the abrupta group are variable (the clade is united by genitalic synapomorphies), all three members of the bryce group possess an orange-red radial hindwing band.
Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships
The structure within the genus is based on the phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters by Miller (2009).References
Miller, JS. 2009. Generic revision of the Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 321, 1-971 + 48 plates.
Title Illustrations
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Scientific Name | Ephialtias choba |
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Location | Brazil: Pará, Santarém |
Reference | Miller JS. 2009. Generic revision of the Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 321, 1-971 + 48 plates. |
Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
Identified By | James S. Miller |
Sex | Male |
Life Cycle Stage | adult |
View | dorsal |
Collection | CMNH |
Collector | S. M. Klages |
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Copyright |
© 2009
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Scientific Name | Ephialtias draconis |
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Location | Panama: Canal Zone, Pipeline Road |
Comments | larva reared on Turnera panamensis |
Reference | Miller JS. 2009. Generic revision of the Dioptinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Notodontidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 321, 1-971 + 48 plates. |
Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
Identified By | James S. Miller |
Sex | Male |
Life Cycle Stage | adult |
View | dorsal |
Collection | USNM |
Collector | A. Aiello |
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Copyright |
© 2009
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About This Page
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to James S. Miller at and Andrew V. Z. Brower at
Page copyright © 2010 and
Page: Tree of Life
Ephialtias
Authored by
. James S. Miller and Andrew V. Z. Brower.
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- First online 10 September 2009
- Content changed 21 July 2010
Citing this page:
Miller, James S. and Andrew V. Z. Brower. 2010. Ephialtias http://tolweb.org/Ephialtias/138581/2010.07.21 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
. Version 21 July 2010 (under construction).