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Post by oehlkew on Apr 9, 2011 8:07:38 GMT -8
These images of an Orthogonioptilum species (male) were taken in Yokadouma, Est Province, Cameroun, March 17, 2011. Right forewing length is approximately 33mm.
I think it might be Orthogonioptilum tristis, but I am not sure. There seem to be a couple other possibilities, but this seems a best match for tristis based on Darge's range maps, descriptions (French) and images (not the best).
I will also post verso image and image of antennae in case those might help.
Help with determination would be greatly appreciated.
Bill Oehlke
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Post by oehlkew on Apr 9, 2011 8:10:53 GMT -8
First Image Attachments:
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Post by oehlkew on Apr 9, 2011 8:11:53 GMT -8
Verso image of orthogonioptilum male Attachments:
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Post by oehlkew on Apr 9, 2011 8:13:00 GMT -8
Orthogonioptilum male: head and antennae Attachments:
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Post by Khalid Fadil on Apr 9, 2011 20:09:28 GMT -8
There are three species within the Orthogonioptilum genus which seem to match your specimen. I can't seem to make out which is the right one.
O. Monochromum
O. Neoprox
O. Obamba
Your specimen is mostly likely one of the above. O. Tristis is a tad too reddish to be your specimen.
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Post by oehlkew on Apr 10, 2011 1:04:33 GMT -8
Hi Caleb,
Thanks for your suggestions. I had considered those species, but had tentatively ruled them out for the following reasons, mostly from Darge's publication:
obamba is indicated as a rarer, larger species, flying in western Cameroun
neoprox is recorded in southeastern Cameroun, but I believe the forewing points of light are considerably larger in neoprox with a stronger contrast between upper median area and other areas of the wings
monochromum is recorded in southeastern Cameroun and would be my second choice (very close second) after tristis, but I think it is uniformly darker.
What are you using as a reference? What does it say about colouration of tristis? or are you just going by pictures?
I am hoping there is some way to distinguish these species without barcoding or examination of genitalia. Does your reference indicate any outstanding features on ventral surfaces?
Perhaps my eliminations are premature and it could be any of the species you list.
I certainly cannot rule out any of them, especially monochromum if there are lighter variations of that species.
Bill Oehlke
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Post by africaone on Apr 10, 2011 1:18:38 GMT -8
sorry to be so hard but stop to loose time to determine Orthogonioptilum with Darge's publication.
For species of the prox / monochromun groups, it is nearly impossible today to give a name for different reasons (type missing, wrong "appreciation" of some populations, names published without clear description, unsucces of barcode, genitalia not so clear, etc..).
Thierry
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Post by oehlkew on Apr 10, 2011 3:32:15 GMT -8
Thanks, Thierry,
Your answer does not alleviate the frustration for those trying to do ids, but it is probably a very accurate answer.
I also received a report that Catocala results from barcoding efforts do not provide useful results for determinations.
Maybe someday someone will begin rearing species of this genera and provide images of larvae which might help with sorting things out, but with relatively small size of moths, and lacklustre appearance compared to many of the more spectacular Saturniidae, it might be a long time before that happens, and even then there will likely be problems due to lack of original descriptions or specimens.
Still it would be nice to know what flies where.
Bill Oehlke
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Post by africaone on Apr 10, 2011 7:10:52 GMT -8
it is the only group that resist today !
nearly all others can be identified or classified (and barcode is also useful for many of them).
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Post by Khalid Fadil on Apr 10, 2011 13:58:31 GMT -8
Hi Caleb, Thanks for your suggestions. I had considered those species, but had tentatively ruled them out for the following reasons, mostly from Darge's publication: obamba is indicated as a rarer, larger species, flying in western Cameroun neoprox is recorded in southeastern Cameroun, but I believe the forewing points of light are considerably larger in neoprox with a stronger contrast between upper median area and other areas of the wings monochromum is recorded in southeastern Cameroun and would be my second choice (very close second) after tristis, but I think it is uniformly darker. What are you using as a reference? What does it say about colouration of tristis? or are you just going by pictures? I am hoping there is some way to distinguish these species without barcoding or examination of genitalia. Does your reference indicate any outstanding features on ventral surfaces? Perhaps my eliminations are premature and it could be any of the species you list. I certainly cannot rule out any of them, especially monochromum if there are lighter variations of that species. Bill Oehlke I'm just referring to pictures, honestly... as well as trusting my instincts. Whatever the case, you obviously know much, much more than I do. With this, I'm willing to conclude that if your specimen is O. Tristis, then O. Tristis colors vary quite a bit from reddish to grayish brown. |
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