Micraphe
| Micraphe | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Limacodidae |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. lateritia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micraphe lateritia Karsch, 1896
| |
| Micraphe | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Zygaenoidea |
| Family: | Limacodidae |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. lateritia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micraphe lateritia Karsch, 1896
| |
Micraphe is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Limacodidae. It contains a single species, Micraphe lateritia, commonly known as the rosy slug.[1][2]
Taxonomy
The genus Micraphe was described by German entomologist Ferdinand Karsch in 1896 based on specimens collected in the Afrotropical region.[2] It is classified in the subfamily Limacodinae of the family Limacodidae, a family commonly known as slug moths.[3]
Description
Micraphe lateritia has a small, compact body with a characteristic reddish to brick-colored forewing, giving rise to its common name, "rosy slug". The wings are generally unmarked or slightly shaded, and the body is hairy.[4] As typical of Limacodidae, the larvae are believed to be slug-like in appearance and may possess urticating spines, although detailed larval descriptions are not well-documented for this species.[5]
Habitat and Ecology
Micraphe lateritia primarily inhabits dense lowland forests, woodlands, and sometimes agricultural fringes, where it is presumed to breed on host plants typical of Limacodid larvae such as shrubs and small trees.[6] Like most Limacodidae, the adult moth is nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources.[7] While its host plants are not definitively known, it is likely to share feeding patterns with related genera that utilize a wide variety of broad-leaved trees.[8]
Conservation
There is no specific conservation assessment of Micraphe lateritia by the IUCN, and the species does not appear on any national Red List.[9] However, the moth inhabits forest ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by deforestation, logging, and agricultural encroachment.[10] Continued habitat degradation could pose long-term risks to its populations.
References
- ^ "Micraphe lateritia Karsch, 1896". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ a b Karsch, F. (1896). "Die äthiopischen Limalkodiden des Berliner Museums". Entomologische Nachrichten. 22 (17): 267.
- ^ Epstein, M. (1996). "Revision and phylogeny of the Limacodid-group families, with evolutionary studies on slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea)". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 582: 1–102. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.582.
- ^ "Micraphe lateritia". African Moths. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Holloway, J.D. (1986). "The Moths of Borneo: Limacodidae". Malayan Nature Journal. 40: 1–165.
- ^ Epstein, M. (1996). "Revision and phylogeny of the Limacodid-group families". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 582: 1–102.
- ^ Scoble, M.J. (1992). The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. Oxford University Press. pp. 95–96. ISBN 9780198549529.
- ^ Holloway, J.D. (1986). "The Moths of Borneo: Limacodidae". Malayan Nature Journal. 40: 1–165.
- ^ "IUCN Red List". Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ New, T.R. (1993). "Insect conservation in tropical forest ecosystems". Conservation Biology. 7 (1): 20–30. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.1993.07010020.x.