Strophocerus, MOSCHLER, 1883

Prada-Lara, Liliana, St Laurent, Ryan A., Weller, Susan & Fagua, Giovanny, 2025, Nystaleinae moths (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae): A morphological review of the subfamily, Zootaxa 5622 (1), pp. 1-67 : 44-45

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5622.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C36CF0C2-0435-4460-A1D0-A9ADE783046F
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F387A1-FFE8-9936-FF38-BB0BFD33FED1
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Strophocerus
status

Treatment

37. STROPHOCERUS MÖSCHLER, 1883 View in CoL

Strophocerus Möschler, 1882 . Verhandl. zool.- bot. Ges. Wien 32: 344. Type species: Strophocerus flocciferus Möschler, 1882 . ibid.: 32: 345.

Adults. ( Figure 3M View FIGURE 3 , 11J View FIGURE 11 ) Head: male and female antennae simple filiform; antennal tufts present; third segment of labial palpi long; ocelli present. Thorax: male prothoracic leg without scent pocket; tarsal claws bifid. Wings: males 36 to 52 mm, females 42 to 54 mm; color pattern variable consisting of sharp geometric shapes, forewing falcate; accessory cell present; hindwing with Sc-Rs stalked. Male terminalia ( Figure 7J View FIGURE 7 ): eighth tergite with midplate; eighth sternite with M-shaped antecosta, caudal edge with lateral prominences. Valvae with SSO developed; midvalve sclerotization present; sclerotized portion of costal edge thin, extending nearly to apex; apex membranous with curved, stout setae regularly spaced along edge. Uncus often square and slightly bifid, socii sclerotized and variously shaped; modified transtilla with two pronounced curved apodemes; costulae usually absent; juxta flattened or slightly concave. Aedeagus long, a curved and thin, vesica with deciduous cornuti, base with a Y form, however we note considerable variation in male Strophocerus genitalia. Female terminalia: Papillae anales membranous or lightly sclerotized; long setae from periphery; posterior apophyses long. Eighth tergite usually with long setae, shape variable; anterior apophyses variable in length. Eight sternite with small lateral prominences present or absent; ostium bursae moderately wide. Ductus bursae sclerotized and dorso-ventrally flattened. Corpus bursae membranous with small dorsal, sclerotized shield that gives rise internally to ridges; one signum present.

Diagnosis. These are large moths with vivid colors (pinks, greys, creams, and browns arranged in triangular patterns or forming contrasting borders). Strophocerus can be recognized due to the particularly modified transtilla with large apodemes.

Comments. Strophocerus means twisted antennae ( Weller 1989). Recorded host plants include Hirtella racemosa ( Chrysobalanaceae ) and Cespedesia spathulata ( Ochnaceae ) (ACG database). This is another genus that needs exhaustive revision given a wide range of different genitalia structures.

Distribution. From Guatemala to Brazil.

Species included (12).

Strophocerus albonotatus (Druce, 1909)

Strophocerus chliara Draudt, 1932

Strophocerus cossoides (Schaus, 1904)

Strophocerus flocciferus Möschler, 1883 *

Strophocerus hermieri Thiaucourt, 2001

Strophocerus lecourti Thiaucourt, 1995

Strophocerus maipouri Thiaucourt, 1995

Strophocerus orbipunctatus (Dognin, 1910)

Strophocerus rectilinea (Dognin, 1908)

Strophocerus sericeus (Schaus, 1905)