Zatrephes variegata
| Zatrephes variegata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Erebidae |
| Subfamily: | Arctiinae |
| Genus: | Zatrephes |
| Species: | Z. variegata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Zatrephes variegata Rothschild, 1909
| |
Zatrephes variegata is a species of moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, family Erebidae. It was first described by Walter Rothschild in 1909.[1] The species is distributed in parts of northern South America, including French Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil.[1][2]
Taxonomy
[edit]Zatrephes variegata belongs to the tribe Phaegopterina, within the subfamily Arctiinae of the family Erebidae. The genus Zatrephes was established by Jacob Hübner in 1819 and includes numerous Neotropical moths recognized for their bright and often aposematic coloration.[3]
Description
[edit]While specific morphological descriptions of Zatrephes variegata are limited, members of the genus are typically medium-sized moths featuring variegated brown, orange, and yellow forewings, which serve as camouflage. These colorations are thought to contribute to predator avoidance through mimicry or aposematism.[4]
Distribution and Habitat
[edit]Zatrephes variegata occurs in tropical rainforests of northern South America, with confirmed presence in French Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil.[1][2] These moths typically inhabit lowland and submontane rainforest ecosystems and are active at night, often attracted to artificial light.[5]
Ecology
[edit]Like other Arctiinae species, the larvae of Zatrephes variegata are presumed to feed on a variety of host plants, though specific larval host records for this species are not documented in current literature. Many related species are known to feed on dicotyledonous plants and contribute to leaf litter cycling in their ecosystems.[6]
Conservation
[edit]Zatrephes variegata has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, and there are no specific conservation efforts targeted at this species. However, ongoing deforestation and land-use change in Amazonian regions may pose a threat to its habitat and populations.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Savela, Markku (ed.). "Zatrephes variegata Rothschild, 1909". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Toulgoët, Hervé de & Navatte, Jocelyne (2000). "Zatrephes variegata Rothschild, 1909". Illustrated Catalogue of the Arctiidae Arctiinae and Pericopinae of French Guyana Found in the Collection of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ^ Vincent, Benoît; Laguerre, Michel (2014). "Catalogue of the Neotropical Arctiini Leach, [1815] (Lepidoptera, Erebidae: Arctiinae)". Zoosystema. 36 (2): 137–533. doi:10.5252/z2014n2a1.
- ^ Watson, Allan (1975). A revision of the genus Zatrephes. British Museum (Natural History).
- ^ Teston, J.A.; Corseuil, E. (2006). "Arctiidae (Lepidoptera) from the Brazilian Amazon: Inventory and comparison between two sites". Revista Brasileira de Entomologia. 50 (3): 301–305. doi:10.1590/S0085-56262006000300006.
- ^ Janzen, Daniel H. (1970). "Herbivores and the Number of Tree Species in Tropical Forests". The American Naturalist. 104 (940): 501–528. JSTOR 2459012.
- ^ Living Amazon Report 2016: A Regional Approach to Conservation in the Amazon (PDF) (Report). WWF. 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2025.