Leucanella fusca (Saturniid) female - documented?

[Fernando]

Dear people,

Is the female of this species documented? I mean, has it ever been catched?

And the second question: is this a L. fusca?

[oehlkew]

Fernando,

Leucanella fusca is depicted in Lemaire's Hemileucinae 2002. So Yes, it has been documented, but that is not to say Lemaire's image of the female fusca won't be reassigned.

No new Leucanella were designated by Brechlin and Meister 2010 or 2011 for Mexico. I am assuming this moth is from Oaxaca, Mexico, realizing assumptions are dangerous. Please confirm or correct.

I think only the following Leucanella species are known from Mexico. The ones followed by xxx can definitely be ruled out unless you have an extreme variation

Leucanella acutissima xxx
Leucanella contempta windi
Leucanella fusca
Leucanella leucane xxx
Leucanella muelleri xxx
Leucanella saturata xxx

Of the two remaining species I cannot rule out contempta windi or fusca
or an undescribed species. My first guess would be an undescribed species
because it is not a really good match for either contempta windi or fusca.

If it is from a different location than Oaxaca, Mexico, I might revise determination or lack thereof. Please advise.
If it was carrying eggs, it probably was not a hybrid.

Bill Oehlke

[Fernando]

Dear Bill,

Thanks for your answer.

The location is Oaxaca, as you assumed. The female did carry eggs, and even layed some.

I also catched several Leucanella males in the very same location. Maybe these are the males of the female's same species?



And I also catched another Leucanella female which I thought to be L. contempta ssp. windi, and it is quite different from the one I posted before.

[oehlkew]

Fernando,
Do you have an image of the most recently posted female that shows shape of forewing tips?
It is often very difficult to do determinations from photos, and it is even more difficult when some of the determining characters are not shown when they could be??
It is helpful when you do present all images of a given genus, as sometimes useful connections can be made. I understand that you do not have wingspans, but even more precise locations than Oaxaca, Mexico, can be helpful. Sometimes elevations are very helpful.
Identification of some moths is easy. When there are several very similar moths, many of which might be sympatric, it is most helpful to have and share as many images and as much information as possible. You can often save those who would try to help you much time, and you are more likely to come away with a good determination. There is always some variation within species.
Bill Oehlke

PS. usually (not always) males and females of the same species have abdomens of the same colour.

[Fernando]

Dear Bill,

I posted all the pictures I have from every specimen (which sadly is only one from each), and I can't take more pictures of them as the specimens are now papered and ready to be sent to Switzerland for further research.

I can give you more precise locations though. Both the first female and the male where caught in Cerro del Vidrio (coordinates are roughly +16° 12' 42", -97° 8' 12"; elevation 1830 meters, according to Google Earth). The second female was caught in San Gabriel Mixtepec (coordinates +16° 5' 22", -97° 3' 47"; elevation 670 meters).

I really appreciate your help Bill, and I'm very sorry for not being able to give you more precise information.

[oehlkew]

Hi Fernando,
Thaks for additional data. I believe the male is Leucanella leucane as I believe acutissima is a lower elevation species (so elevation helps).
Both females have the wide, yellow-orange, hindwing ocellus ring which is noted for fuscus. L. contempta windi also has a wide hindwing ring, but it tends to be much more pale yellow. Neither is a perfect match for images and descriptions I have of contempta windi or fusca so you probably have something new or variations of fusca and or contempta windi. Hope Bernhard can sort it out.

Bill Oehlke

[Fernando]

Thanks again for your reply. I'll let you know as soon as I have some news about the id of this, and all the other ambigously identified specimens I catched.