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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300967
Title: The Prominent moth, Disphragis notabilis Schaus, in Costa Rica (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae)

Author
item SULLIVAN, J. - Smithsonian Institute
item Pogue, Michael

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2014
Publication Date: 6/27/2014
Publication URL: http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=3932
Citation: Sullivan, J.B., Pogue, M.G. 2014. The Prominent moth, Disphragis notabilis Schaus, in Costa Rica (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae). ZooKeys. 421:21-38.

Interpretive Summary: Prominent moths represent a diverse group in the Neotropical region. The caterpillars are plant-feeding insects and are pests on most forest trees, and are of economic importance worldwide. This study resolved the identity of four cryptic species and described one species new to science. These four species were regarded as a single species because the forewing pattern was identical. Using DNA and genitalic characters the identification of these four species was resolved. This information will be important to all researchers working with prominent moths of agricultural and ecological importance.

Technical Abstract: The four described taxa in the Disphragis notabilis species group are reviewed including the types and their dissected genitalia. D. hemicera st. rev.is elevated to species rank. D. nomula is retained as a synonym of D. notabilis. D. sobialis is confirmed as distinct from D. hemicera and D. bifurcata n. sp. from Costa Rica is described. Both D. hemicera and D. bifurcata occur in Costa Rica. The apparent ranges of the other species are outlined. Defining characters of each species are presented and a key to differentiate the species is included. Unusual variation in the genitalia is noted.