Synpalamides rubrophalaris ( Houlbert, 1917 )

Ríos, Sergio D. & González, Jorge M., 2011, A synopsis of the Castniidae (Lepidoptera) of Paraguay, Zootaxa 3055, pp. 43-61 : 49

Synpalamides rubrophalaris ( Houlbert, 1917)

( Fig. 4 )

Castnia rubrophalaris Houlbert, 1917

Taxonomic history. Typical specimens of his species can be easily distinguished from typical Synpalamides phalaris based mainly in color differences. It was originally described by Houlbert (1917) from Brazil, Bahia as Castnia rubrophalaris . It was later placed in the genus Sympalamides [sic] ( Houlbert 1918). Rothschild (1919) mentions the species [as Castnia (Sympalamides [sic]) mygdon form rubrophalaris Houlbert ) collected in November, 1903, from Sapucay, Paraguay.

Distribution. The species is distributed in Southern Brazil, but reaches Paraguay, however there is a report of at least one specimen supposedly collected in Venezuela ( Joicey & Talbot, 1925; Lamas 1995; Miller 1986, 1995)

Biology and behavior. It has been collected in Atlantic Forest in the areas of occurrence in Paraguay, where it is possible to find specimens perching on leaves of bushes or small size plants ( Fig. 21 ). Ulf Drechsel (pers. comm.) mentions that Synpalamides rubrophalaris is relatively common in the Atlantic Forest of the Alto Paraná Department. The hosts are Unknown.

Material examined. 13, Castnia sora – Druce – (mpd.B.h ( Paraguay) (Slide M-2557, Jacqueline Y. Miller) ( MGCL). PARAGUARÍ: 13, (232), Sapucay, Paraguay, 10.11.0 4, (Slide M-2558, Jacqueline Y. Miller) ( MGCL). ALTO PARANÁ: 13, Estancia Dimes, 25°33’S, 55°13’W. 19–23.XII.2005. Coll. U. Drechsel (MNHNPY). CANINDEYÚ: 1Ƥ, Reserva de Mbaracayú, Puesto La Morena. 6–8.XI.1991. Coll. C. Aguilar & J. Kochalka [Collected inside Forested area] (MNHNPY); 13 Distrito Ygatimi: Río Jejui-mí, 7.XI.1998 (IBIS-UNP).

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 9. Adults of Castniidae. 2. Imara satrapes Kollar, 3, Itapúa, Paraguay (MNHNPY); 3. Synpalamides phalaris (Fabricius), 3, Asunción, Paraguay (FCA / DE); 4. Synpalamides rubrophalaris (Houlbert), 3, Alto Paraná, Paraguay (MNHNPY); 5. Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss (White morph), 3, Sapucay, Paraguay (MGCL); 6. Castnia invaria penelope Schaufuss (red morph), 3, Ypacaraí, Paraguay (FCA / DE); 7. Castnia juturna Hopffer, 3, Argentina (MACN); 8. Telchin licus laura (H. Druce), 3, Canindeyú, Paraguay (MNHNPY); 9. Riechia acraeoides (Guérin-Méneville), 3, Asunción, Paraguay (MNHNPY).

FIGURES 20 – 21. Adults of Castniidae are seeing here while perching in the typical stegopterous position. 20. Synpalamides rubrophalaris (Houlbert) on an unidentified Arum (Araceae) leaf (Alto Paraná, Estancia Dimes) (Picture: Ulf Drechsel). 21. Gazera heliconioides micha (H. Druce) on a twig, close to the soil surface (Amambay, Cerro Corá) (Picture: Sergio Ríos).