Telchin cacica procera (Boisduval, [1875])

Berghe, Eric Den, 2020, Synopsis of the Castniidae (Lepidoptera) from Honduras and Nicaragua, Central America, Zootaxa 4895 (2), pp. 272-284 : 273-274

Telchin cacica procera (Boisduval, [1875])

( Fig. 1A )

Castnia procera Boisduval, [1875] [ Mexico]

Castnia cacica Herrich-Schäffer ; Westwood, 1877:169.

Graya panamensis Buchecker, [1880] xx [ Panama]

Castnia cacica Herrich-Scháffer ; Druce, 1883:25.

Castnia cacica ab. bivittifera Strand, 1913 [ Guatemala]

Castnia cacica ab. macula Strand, 1913

Amauta cacica ssp. cacica Herrich-Scháffer ; Maes, 1999:1236.

Amauta cacica, Chacón & Montero, 2007 : pl 23

Amauta cacica procera (Boisduval, [1875]) , Miller et al. 2012:10.

Amauta cacica procera (Boisduval, [1875]) , González & Hernández-Baz, 2012:147-148.

Moraes & Duarte (2014) synonymize this genus in Telchin , and we are momentarily treating this taxon within the genus, an ongoing research (Worthy, Zilli & González, in prep.) will revalidate the genus Amauta . This species, originally described (as Castnia procera ) from material received by “M. de l’Orza” from Guatemala, and it differs from “[C.] cacica ”, by “… ses ailes supérieures un peu plus pointues au sommet, par l’absence de la petite tache blanche discoïdale, par ses ailes intérieures dont la bande transversale est moitié plus étroite, et enfin par le dessous des ailes qui est entièrement d’un brun uniforme ainsi que le corps.” (Boisduval, [1875]). Currently considered a ssp. of A. cacica , it is found from North America ( Mexico) throughout Central America down to Panama. Some authors, however, have mentioned the South American ssp. cacica , as present in Central America (Maes 1998-1999; Chacón & Montero 2007; González & Hernández-Baz 2012; Miller et al. 2012). This subspecies had been observed perched and feeding on Heliconia pogonantha Cuf. (Heliconiaceae) inflorescences ( Miller & Sourakov 2009). The latter could be also a host plant ( Miller & Sourakov 2009; Domagała et al. 2017).

Material examined: HONDURAS: 1 Ƌ, Atlántida, Rio Bonito CURLA camp, 8 km W, 5 km S, La Ceiba; 15°42´05.8”N, 86°50´48.7”W, 150 m , 1. VI.2002, F. Martínez, CURLALep04141 ( CURLA); 1 Ƌ, C.A., Dpto. de Comayagua, Municipio Meámbar , 500 m, Centro ambiental los planes (Cascada), col. G. Borjas, No 321, 25.IV.1997, 970425.39, Lepidoptera N0 321 ( UNAH); 1 Ƌ, Morazán, Guaimaca , Reserva Biológica El Chile , 15.IX.2006, col. C. Wildt ( UNAH); 1 Ƌ, Atlántida, Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, Estación CURLA,, 15°42’ N 86°51’ W, 175 m 30.IX.2001, F. Martínez, 74.256 EAPZ ( EAPZ) ; NICARAGUA: 1 ♀, Jinotega, Kilambe 13°33´54.8”N, 85°42´08.4”W, 1422m, light trap , 7. VI .2009 leg. van den Berghe ( EVDB); 1 hindwing, Jinotega, Kilambe: Regreso 4, alt. 1404 m, 17. V .1998 , col. J.M. Maes & B. Hernández ( MEL); 1 Ƌ, Jinotega, Datanli el Diablo , 13°05´N, 85°52´W, 1300 m, VIII.2005. in forest undergrowth late afternoon E. van den Berghe (pers. observation).

Figures

FIGURE 1: Giant butterfly-moths (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) from Honduras and Nicaragua. A. Ƌ, Telchin cacica procera (Boisduval, [1875]), Morazán, Honduras (UNAH, Honduras); B. Ƌ, Telchin atymnius drucei (Schaus, 1911), Honduras (Streck- er Collection, FMNH, Chicago, USA); C. ♀, Telchin atymnius futilis (Walker, 1856), Atlántida, Honduras (CURLA, Honduras); D. Ƌ, Telchin evalthe viryi (Boisduval, [1875]), Honduras (Strecker Collection, FMNH, Chicago, USA); E. Ƌ, Telchin diva diva (Butler, 1870), Carazo, Nicaragua (MEL, Nicaragua); F. Ƌ, Telchin licus microsticta (Rothschild, 1919), Atlántida, Honduras (CURLA); G. Ƌ, (Type), Athis inca inca Walker, 1854, Honduras (NHMUK, London); H. Ƌ, Athis clitarcha (Westwood, 1877), Atlántida, Honduras (CURLA); I. ♀, Prometheus zagraea salvina (Westwood, 1877), Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua (EVDB). Scale: 10 mm.