Ghost moth (Hepialidae) request

[John R. Grehan]

I and my colleague John Rawlins are entering into the descriptive phase of
a revision for a genus of Central and South American ghost moths known
as Druceiella. If anyone on this list happens to have any specimens in their
personal or institutional collections that they would like to loan please 
let me know.

There are on line images of the moths at 
http://www.ento.psu.edu/home/Frost/Lepidoptera/Hepialidae/Druceiella.html
The moth wingspans vary from about 4.5 to 10 cm. The males are distinctive in
having a unique extension of the last abdominal tergite extending out to 
the right side and bending leftwards in front of the genitalia. Females are 
sometimes less obvious, but can usually be recognized by the black spot on 
the forewing (see photos).

There are currently four published names. Our study should increase the 
total species to ten. At least two species are represented entirely by 
material from two individual collectors.

John Grehan
Frost Entomological Museum
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Entomology
501 ASI Building
University Park, PA 16802. USA.

Phone: (814) 863-2865
Fax: (814) 865-3048

Frost Museum
http://www.ento.psu.edu/home/Frost/index.html


 
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 

   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:

   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl