Orbicular Moth?
Andeabatis chilensis
-43.1251, -73.927
Field Notes
Description:
Family: Hepialidae<br>
Andeabatis is a monotypic moth genus of the family Hepialidae. The only species is Andeabatis chilensis of southern South America.<br>
Adults fly in late summer (February-March)<br>
There seems to be no information on the larval stages of this moth.<br>
Distinct from all other South American Hepialidae in size and eye-spot wing pattern. Male genitalia with sternite VIII more sclerotized than preceding segments and modified as part of the genitalia (also Parapielus). Female genitalia have a unique sternite IX lobe extending into the papillae anales in the midline. Antennal sockets separated by narrow rim (also Druceiella). Forewing scales dark-tipped.
<br>
Andeabatis is similar to Abantiades of Australia with respect to labial palpi, an annular or eye-like wing pattern, a high number of antennal segments, and male genitalia with subcaudal ventral ridge on the tegumen. The flagellum segments of Andeabatis annular whereas those of Abantiades are pectinate, and latter also have the arolium present (Nielsen and Robinson, 1983).
Habitat:
Dense humid forest (Tepual).<br>
Distribution<br>
Between 38º and 44 º S on both sides of the Andes of Chile and Argentina.
Notes:
Coolest spotting in my whole summer. I had never even known such moth existed, the pattern is beautiful. <br>
And is so big! <br>
I was thrilled and nervous taking the pictures, obviously none came out as expected. Kids loved it too.<br>
No common name is suggested it Orbicular moth is how I started looking for it.
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