Kingdom Animalia Superfamily Noctuoidea Tribe Hulodini Rank Genus | Class Insecta Family Erebidae Phylum Arthropoda Order Butterflies and moths | |
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Similar Speiredonia spectans, Butterflies and moths, Spirama, Ischyja, Lacera | ||
Speiredonia is a genus of moths in the Erebidae family.
Contents
Description
Palpi with thickened second joint, reaching vertex of head and third joint of moderate length. Antennae of male with minute fascicules of cilia. Thorax quadrately scaled. Abdomen with dorsal ridges of hair. Tibia slightly hairy, and mid tibia spineless. Fore wigs with arched costa towards apex. Cilia crenulate. Hid wings with crenulate cilia as well, but with short cell. Vein 5 from lower angle of cell.
Defensive display
Some of the species, such as Speiredonia spectans, S. cthulhui, S. hogenesi, S. martabanica, S. sandokana, S. alix. S. itynx, S. levis and S. celebensis have a pattern on the wings that while the moth is at rest looks like the 3-dimensional face of a lurking animal with eyes and nostrils. This pattern is more clearly discernible in females and may cause an attacking predator to hesitate or perhaps withdraw.