the plains pocket gopher ( geomys bursarius ) is one of 35 species of pocket gophers , so named in reference to their externally located , fur-lined cheek pouches .

they are burrowing animals , found in grasslands and agricultural land across the great plains of north america , from manitoba to texas .

pocket gophers are the most highly fossorial rodents found in north america .

plains pocket gopher

northern pocket gopher ( t . talpoides ) ; very widely distributed ; several subspecies including the cheyenne northern pocket gopher
when stocking food , the plains pocket gopher empties its pouches by bringing both forefeet to its cheeks to force out the food .
pocket gophers are capable of swimming . the southern pocket gopher has the greatest endurance of three species that were tested in laboratory conditions . the plains pocket gopher is intermediate in its endurance between the southern pocket gopher and the yellow - faced pocket gopher . the latter is a very poor swimmer . the superior swimming ability of the southern pocket gopher may be an adaptation to its mountain habitat , which frequently undergoes flooding during snowmelt . swimming during flooding may also be a method of pocket gopher dispersal .
vaughan , t . a . 1962 . reproduction in the plains pocket gopher in colorado . j . mammal . 43 : 1 - 13 .
figure 4a . range of the plains pocket gopher ( geomys bursarius ) ( dark ) and botta’s pocketgopher ( thomomys bottae ) ( light ) in north america .
range : the plains pocket gopher is from the great plains of north america . they have been found in southern manitoba into the midwest from eastern north dakota to indiana . their range also extends south into new mexico and texas . [ 2 ]
plains pocket gophers tend to act a bit
cheeky ,
but they don ' t mean any harm .
similar species : the eastern mole is similar , but creates a mound with a cone shape instead of the kidney shape a plains pocket gopher creates . [ 1 ]
figure 4c . range of the southeastern pocket gopher ( geomys pinetis ) ( dark ) and southern pocket gopher ( thomomys umbrinus ) ( light ) in north america .
plains pocket gophers are rare , but not protected . the disappearance of most of the prairie has decreased its habitat .
figure 4b . range of the northern pocket gopher ( thomomys talpoides ) ( dark ) and yellow - faced pocket gopher ( pappogeomys castanops ) ( light ) in north america .
a plains pocket gopher is a rodent . a rodent is a small mammal that has gnawing teeth for chewing . the name
plains pocket gopher
is because of their cheek pouches on their cheeks . this gopher has 2 prominent teeth for chewing . this pocket gopher is related to the ground squirrel . it has long front and back claws for digging its burrow which is about 800 feet deep . it eats roots , tubers , bulb , carrots , vegetables , grass , nuts , and sometimes plants .
mazama pocket gopher ( t . mazama ) ; several subspecies including the western , gold beach , olympic , and tacoma pocket gophers .
the plains pocket gopher ' s coloring is anywhere from a sandy brown to rich chocolate . their fur generally matches the color of the soil they inhabit - which are usually sandy or silty soils .
myers , g . t . , and t . a . vaughan . 1964 . food habits of the plains pocket gopher in eastern colorado . j . mammal . 45 : 588 - 598 .
body grip or claw - type traps set below ground in tunnels pocket gopher kill traps ( right ) . description : must be placed below ground in gopher tunnels .
: the plains pocket gopher lives throughout kansas with the exception of the southeastern corner of the state . it prefers deep sandy and loamy soil in treeless open lands . the five subspecies in kansas are :
foster , m . a . , and j . stubbendieck . 1980 . effects of the plains pocket gopher ( geomys bursarius ) on rangelands . j . range manage . 33 : 74 - 78 .
plains pocket gophers ( geomys bursarius , fig . 4a ) are found in the central plains from canada south through texas and louisiana . botta’s ( or valley ) pocket gophers ( thomomys bottae , fig . 4a ) are found in most of the southern half of the western united states .
plains pocket gophers ( geomys bursarius , fig . 4a ) are found in the central plains from canada south through texas and louisiana . botta’s ( or valley ) pocket gophers ( thomomys bottae , fig . 4a ) are found in most of the southern half of the western united states .
the plains pocket gopher is cinnamon brown in color , with a lighter belly ; the tail has some white hairs ; this gopher has four large claws on its front feet the males are longer than the females ; males measure 285 to 298 mm and weigh 226 . 5 to 343 g
dispersal of young plains pocket gophers from their natal burrows has been reported to begin in june in colorado . young apparently begin to disperse when they are only one - third the adult body size . other indications of aboveground dispersal of pocket gophers have been reported by incidental captures of gophers in drift fences set for snakes . a plains pocket gopher was reported a victim of an automobile on a highway in iowa , and plains pocket gophers are reported falling into window wells every summer in nebraska . these aboveground movements are a prime reason for high mortality in densely populated areas .
: the food of plains pocket gophers is entirely vegetable matter consisting of grasses and forbs , roots and underground stems . green plants and grasses are taken from around the entrance of their tunnels and perhaps beyond , at night . the plains pocket gopher is especially fond of alfalfa fields , and can become a nuisance . their earth mounds can damage the sickle bars of mowing machines .
diet : the plains pocket gopher is herbivorous and consists mostly of grasses , forbs , and roots . most common grasses include brome , oats , and bluegrass . some studies have indicated that gophers prefer forbs over grasses . all of the gopher’s necessary water is obtained from their food . [ 3 ]
luce , d . g . , r . m . case , and j . stubbendieck . 1980 . food habits of the plains pocket gopher on western nebraska rangelands . j . range manage . 33 : 129 - 131 .
sudaman , p . d . , j . c . burns , and j . r . choate . 1986 . gestation and postnatal development of the plains pocket gopher . texas j . sci . 38 : 91 - 94 .
the plains pocket gopher is a medium - size rodent with a disproportionately massive front end , including an impressive head and strong , curved claws . its diet consists mostly of roots and tubers located by tunneling through loose soil . like most pocket gophers , it tends to be
description : the plains pocket gopher is a small , solitary ( lives alone ) rodent . it is 5 1 / 2 to 9 inches long . in illinois , this type of pocket gopher is black , rather than yellowish brown . it has large forefeet with strong claws and toes with bristles for digging . it uses its front teeth to dig and to gnaw roots and tubers .
howard , w . e . 1961 . a pocket gopher population crash . j . mammal . 42 : 258 - 260 .
distribution and status of the yellow - faced pocket gopher in kansas
by justin d . hoffman and jerry r . choate
food : plains pocket gophers are vegetarians . they eat roots , tubers , bulbs , carrots and other vegetables , grass , nuts , and sometimes the green parts of plants .
the plains pocket gopher is the kind of rodent that prefers life underground - a situation for which it is well - suited . its small eyes , tiny external ears , powerful front legs for burrowing and long claws for digging provide them the perfect tools to live beneath the soil .
unlike the greater number of burrowing mammals which spend much of their time above ground searching for food , the pocket gopher rarely comes out on the surface .
miller , m . a . 1957 . burrows of the sacramento valley pocket gopher in flood - irrigated alfalfa fields . hilgardia 26 : 431 - 452 .
a pocket gopher above ground description : this only occurs during mound building and during fall migration of young during evening hours . photo credits : university of nebraska
is found west of the mississippi river to the rocky mountains , and north from texas and northeastern mexico , through the great plains and to the canadian border .
there has been much debate among taxonomists about which races of pocket gopher should be recognized as full species , and the following list cannot be regarded as definitive .
though many people may not appreciate all this hard work , the plains pocket gopher is a species of special concern in indiana and is protected by law . the department of natural resources would appreciate being contacted before any attempts are made to eradicate these rodents from your yard . the wildlife conflicts information hotline can also be helpful .
luce , d . g . , r . m . case , and j . l . stubbendieck . 1981 . damage to alfalfa fields by plains pocket gophers . j . wildl . manage . 45 : 258 - 260 .
marsh , r . e . 1992 . reflections on current ( 1992 ) pocket gopher control in california . proc . vertebr . pest conf . 15 : 289 - 295 .
pocket gophers are found only in the western hemisphere . they range from panama in the south to alberta in the north . with the exception of the southeastern pocket gopher , they occur throughout the western two - thirds of the united states .
though some hoosiers may find them in their yards , pocket gophers are usually seen in the northwest and prefer prairie habitats if available . the conservancy ' s kankakee sands is home to a number of rare & threatened species , including the plains pocket gopher . you can also find these little critters on the nipsco savanna and tefft savanna complex preserves . a visit to the trails may offer you a glimpse of these toothy creatures .
litter sizes range from 1 to 10 but typically average 3 to 4 . in some southern portions of their range where 2 litters are born each year , litter size is usually smaller , averaging about 2 . the breeding season also varies , but births typically occur from march through june . the gestation period is 18 or 19 days for the northern pocket gopher , but periods as long as 51 days for the plains pocket gopher have been reported . sex ratios are typically in favor of females , generally ranging from 55 % to 60 % females for geomys .
damage - resistant plant varieties . tests of several provenances of ponderosa pine showed that some have natural resistance to gopher damage .
activity : the plains pocket gopher is active day and night , but primarily around the times of sunrise and sunset . this is when they do a great deal of digging . gophers live within loose , social ‘colonies , ’ but are primarily solitary with small home ranges . they stay within burrows and tunnels most of the time . tunnels between neighbors are not connected . [ 2 ]
andersen , d . c . 1978 . observations on reproduction , growth , and behavior of the northern pocket gopher ( thomomys talpoides ) . j . mammal . 59 : 418 - 422 .
alfalfa and dandelions are apparently some of the most preferred and nutritious foods for pocket gophers . generally , thomomys prefer perennial forbs , but they will also eat annual plants with fleshy underground storage structures . plains pocket gophers consume primarily grasses , especially those with rhizomes , but they seem to prefer forbs when they are succulent in spring and summer .
interesting facts : plains pocket gophers can run backwards in their burrows as fast as they can run forward . they use their bare tail as a feeler when backing up in the burrows . their loose skin lets them turn a somersault in the tunnel for a quick getaway .
the plains pocket gopher is a medium - size rodent with a disproportionately massive front end , including an impressive head and strong , curved claws . its diet consists mostly of roots and tubers located by tunneling through loose soil . like most pocket gophers , it tends to be nocturnal , and owls are among the main predators . over their geographic range , populations tend to vary in coat coloration , from light brown to chocolate brown to black , and these variations correspond to soil color .
description : plains pocket gophers are medium to small sized , dark brown gophers . they have fur - lined cheek pouches with a thick body and tiny bead - like eyes . their front claws are long and curved for digging with smaller claws on the hind feet . [ 1 ]
a gopher ' s gape can span two inches but a larger diameter tube can be gnawed if rough sites occur on its surface .
desert pocket gophers ( geomys arenarius ) occur only in southwestern new mexico and the extreme western edge of texas . mazama pocket gophers ( thomomys mazama ) , mountain pocket gophers ( thomomys monticola ) , and camas pocket gophers ( thomomys bulbivorus ) have more limited distributions in the extreme western united states .
the tunnel system tells us much about its inhabitant . the system is rigorously defended against intruders and constitutes the home range of the pocket gopher , which may be up to 700 square yards ( 560 m2 ) .
typically , only one species of pocket gopher is found in each locality . soil factors are important in limiting the distributions of pocket gophers . the larger gophers are restricted to sandy and silty soils east of the rockies . smaller gophers of the genus thomomys have a broader tolerance to various soils .
the gopher ' s tunnel systems can extend in all directions and measure up to several hundred feet long . the telltale signs of their presence are the sandy mounds created on the surface as the gopher excavates dirt from the tunnel . though viewed by some as eyesores on their pristine lawns , gopher tunnels are quite beneficial . their burrowing not only increases soil aeration and water infiltration , but reduces soil compaction as well .
reichman , o . j . , t . g . whitham , and g . a . ruffner . 1982 . adaptive geometry of burrow spacing in two pocket gopher populations . ecology . 63 : 687 - 695 .
some predator odors have been tested as gopher repellents and show some promise . commercially available sonic devises are claimed to repel pocket gophers . there is , however , no scientific supporting evidence . the plants known as caper spurge , gopher purge , or mole plant ( euphorbia lathyrus ) and the castor - oil plant ( ricinus communis ) have been promoted as gopher repellents , but there is no evidence of their effectiveness . in addition , these are not recommended as they are both poisonous to humans and pets .
downhower , j . f . , and e . r . hall . 1966 . the pocket gopher in kansas . univ . kansas museum nat . hist . , misc . publ . no . 44 . 32 pp .
flood irrigation . irrigating fields by flooding can greatly reduce habitat suitability for pocket gophers . water can fill a gopher’s tunnel , thus causing the occupant to drown or flee to the surface , making it vulnerable to predation . the soil may be so damp that it becomes sticky . this will foul the pocket gopher’s fur and claws . as the soil becomes saturated with water , the diffusion of gases into and out of the gopher’s burrow is inhibited , creating an inhospitable environment . the effectiveness of this method can be enhanced by removing high spots in fields that may serve as refuges during irrigation .
mounds may appear in series or in clusters . a single gopher may create mounds occurring over a 100 ft . x 100 ft . area .
habitat and behavior : plains pocket gophers live in pastures , grasslands , and prairies . in illinois , they live in a 100 - mile - wide band that stretches from the mississippi river at st . louis , and follows the south shore of the illinois river and kankakee rivers northeast to the indiana border .
laycock , w . a . , and b . z . richardson . 1975 . long - term effects of pocket gopher control on vegetation and soils of a subalpine grassland . j . range manage . 28 : 458 - 462 .
pocket gophers are active day and night , they guard their house fiercly . it gives birth to about 8 babies . the gopher lives on pastures , grasslands , and praries . gophers don ' t hibernate . a gopher looks chunky . it has a short tail and is nearly hairless . its about 5 - 1 / 2 to 9 ins . long and its tail is about 2 - 4 - 1 / 2 inches long . the pocket gopher has 2 distinct grooves on the outside of each upper incisor . gophers prefar to live alone . their enemies can prey on them . there are 12 other kinds of gophers .
since pocket gophers spend essentially all their time below ground , this method is impractical .
marsh , r . e . , and m . w . cummings . 1977 . pocket gopher control with mechanical bait applicator . coop . ext . , div . agric . sci . , univ . california leaflet 2699 . 7 pp .
pocket gophers do not hibernate . some observers believe their activities peak at dawn and dusk , but various studies have shown them to be active throughout the day , with activity periods interspersed with rest . mound building by plains pocket gophers increases in spring , frequently declines during summer , and increases again in fall . in thomomys , mound building increases from spring through summer into fall . tunneling underground is a tremendously demanding activity estimated to require 360 to 3 , 400 times the energy of moving across the surface . thus , this activity must be of great importance to the pocket gopher’s survival , either increasing its chance of breeding , or finding needed food resources .
however , it is the mouth of the gopher that holds its best instruments . large incised teeth are just as good for tearing into vegetation as they are for digging the gopher ' s deep tunnel systems . close behind the incisors are the lips which allow them to dig with their teeth without getting soil in its mouth . with all the mouth - digging , how , exactly , does a gopher eat without consuming a bunch of soil ? a clue is in its name .
: the plains pocket gopher breeds from february to april and , after a gestation presumed to be a month or more , one to six ( average four ) young are born hairless , pink , wrinkled , and with eyes and ears closed . in five weeks the cheek pouches and eyes of the young open and a week later they are weaned . when half grown , they disperse and begin to forage alone . they reach sexual maturity at one year . the female has three pairs of nipples .
several rodenticides currently are federally registered and available for pocket gopher control . the most widely used and evaluated is strychnine alkaloid ( 0 . 25 to 0 . 5 % active ingredient ) on grain baits . there is some concern that pocket gophers may consume sublethal doses of strychnine and then develop bait shyness . strychnine acts very rapidly and gophers sometimes die within an hour after consuming a lethal dose . it is registered for use for geomys spp . and thomomys spp . if the label has directions for use with a burrow builder machine , then it is a restricted use pesticide . zinc phosphide ( 2 % ) is less effective than strychnine for gopher control . anticoagulants now are available for pocket gopher control . currently , the only federally registered products are chlorophacinone and diphacinone .
mechanical burrow builder . the burrow builder ( fig . 9 ) delivers bait underground mechanically , so large areas can be economically treated for pocket gopher control . it is tractor - drawn and is available in hydraulically operated units or three - point hitch models .
anthony , r . m . , v . g . barnes , jr . , and j . evans . 1978 . “vexar” plastic netting to reduce pocket gopher depredation of conifer seedlings . proc . vertebr . pest conf . 8 : 138 - 144 .
sharp declines in gopher populations have been noted on several occasions . usually some climatic factor is associated with a marked decline . an example would be a heavy snow cover , then rapid snowmelt with a concomitant rise in the water table . external parasites are often found on pocket gophers . lice are perhaps the most common , while ticks , fleas , and mites also occur . the contribution of parasites to gopher mortality is unknown .
the main drawback to grain baits is their high susceptibility to decomposition in the damp burrows . a new product that contains a grain mixture plus the anticoagulant , diphacinone , in a paraffin block not only increases the bait’s effective life , but also makes it possible for more than one gopher to be killed with the same bait . once the resident gopher ingests the toxicant and dies , it is typical for a neighboring gopher to take over the tunnel system and thus to ingest the still - toxic bait .
hoffman , justin d . and choate , jerry r . ( 2008 )
distribution and status of the yellow - faced pocket gopher in kansas ,
western north american naturalist : vol . 68 : no . 4 , article 7 . available at : urltoken
calculating the cost of control operations is only slightly more complicated . however , the benefit - cost analysis of control is still not straightforward . more research data are needed on managing the recovery of forage productivity . for example , should range be fertilized , rested , or lightly grazed ? should gopher mounds on alfalfa be lightly harrowed ? a study of northern pocket gopher control on range production in southern alberta indicated that forage yields increased 16 % , 3 months after treatment . the potential for complete yield recovery the first year following gopher removal has been noted for a fibrous - rooted variety of alfalfa .
trapping is extremely effective for pocket gopher control in small areas and for removal of remaining animals after a poisoning control program . some representative traps are illustrated on the following page ( fig . 10 ) with instructions for setting them ( figs . 11 and 12 ) .
weed control . chemical or mechanical control of forbs , which frequently have large underground storage structures , can be an effective method of minimizing damage by thomomys to rangelands . it may also be effective in making orchards and shelterbelts less suitable for pocket gophers . the method is less effective for plains pocket gophers as they survive quite nicely on grasses . the warm - season prairie grasses have large root - to - stem ratios and these food sources are adequate for geomys .
it is relatively easy to determine the value of the forage lost to pocket gophers . botta’s pocket gophers at a density of 32 per acre ( 79 / ha ) decreased the forage yield by 25 % on foothill rangelands in california , where the plants were nearly all annuals . plains pocket gophers reduced forage yield on rangelands in western nebraska by 21 % to 49 % on different range sites . alfalfa yields in eastern nebraska were reduced as much as 46 % in dryland and 35 % in irrigated alfalfa . losses of 30 % have been reported for hay meadows .
southeastern pocket gophers ( geomys pinetis , fig . 4c ) are found in northern and central florida , southern georgia , and southeastern alabama . southern pocket gophers ( thomomys umbrinus , fig . 4c ) range primarily in central america , but occur in extreme southwestern new mexico and southeastern arizona . desert pocket gophers ( geomys arenarius ) occur only in southwestern new mexico and the extreme western edge of texas . mazama pocket gophers ( thomomys mazama ) , mountain pocket gophers ( thomomys monticola ) , and camas pocket gophers ( thomomys bulbivorus ) have more limited distributions in the extreme western united states .
several mammals are sometimes confused with pocket gophers because of variations in common local terminology ( fig . 5 ) . in addition , in the southeastern united states , pocket gophers are called “salamanders , ” ( derived from the term sandy mounder ) , while the term gopher refers to a tortoise . pocket gophers can be distinguished from the other mammals by their telltale signs as well as by their appearance . pocket gophers leave soil mounds on the surface of the ground . the mounds are usually fan - shaped and tunnel entrances are plugged , keeping various intruders out of burrows .
just as cheek pouches are used in identification of pocket gophers , their fan - shaped soil mounds are characteristic evidence of their presence . typically , there is only one gopher per burrow system . obvious exceptions are when mating occurs and when the female is caring for her young .
pocket gophers are considered pests to agriculture , as well as in suburban lawns ( paradiso 1975 ) .
connolly , r . a . , and r . e . landstrom . 1969 . gopher damage to buried cable materials . mater . res . standards 9 : 13 - 18 .
a burrow builder description : or
gopher getter
. this is a tractor - drawn device that applies toxic bait as it creates a tunnel . photo credits : university of nebraska
this species is known from the great plains of north america from southern manitoba ( canada ) , eastern north dakota , minnesota , and western wisconsin south to new mexico and texas in the united states . the eastern portion of the range extends to extreme western indiana ( patton 2005 ) .
crop varieties . in alfalfa , large tap - rooted plants may be killed or the vigor of the plant greatly reduced by pocket gophers feeding on the roots . varieties with several large roots rather than a single taproot suffer less when gophers feed on them . additionally , pocket gophers in alfalfa fields with fibrous - root systems may have smaller ranges . this would reduce gopher impact on yield .
buried cables may be protected from gopher damage by surrounding the cable with 6 to 8 inches ( 15 to 20 cm ) of coarse gravel . pocket gophers usually burrow around gravel 1 inch ( 2 . 5 cm ) in diameter , whereas smaller pebbles may be pushed to the surface .
pocket gophers are solitary outside of the breeding season , aggressively maintaining territories that vary in size depending on the resources available . males and females may share some burrows and nesting chambers if their territories border each other , but in general , each pocket gopher is asocial and inhabits its own individual tunnel system . pocket gophers can be found concentrated in some environments , with several hundred per acre ( 0 . 4 hectare ) , or in other places with fewer than 50 per acre ( hafner 2004 ) .
federally registered fumigants include aluminum phosphide and gas cartridges with various active ingredients . these fumigants usually are not very successful in treating pocket gophers because the gas moves too slowly through the tunnel system . unless the soil is moist , the fumigant will diffuse through the soil out of the gopher’s tunnel .
to poison pocket gophers , the bait must be placed in their tunnel systems by hand or by a special machine known as a burrow builder . underground baiting for pocket gopher control with strychnine presents minimal hazards to nontarget wildlife , either by direct consumption of bait or by eating poisoned gophers . poison bait spilled on the surface of the ground may be hazardous to ground - feeding birds such as mourning doves .
economic assessment should also be made to determine the cost of no control , the speed of pocket gopher infestation , and the costs associated with dulled or plugged mowing machinery or mechanical breakdowns caused by the mounds . assessment could also be made for damages to buried cable , irrigation structures , trees , and so on .
geomys have two grooves on each upper incisor and large forefeet and claws . plains pocket gophers ( geomys bursarius ) vary in length from almost 7 1 / 2 to 14 inches ( 18 to 36 cm ) . their fur is typically brown but may vary to black . desert pocket gophers ( geomys arenarius ) are always brown and vary from nearly 8 3 / 4 to 11 inches ( 22 to 28 cm ) long . texas pocket gophers ( geomys personatus ) are also brown and are from slightly larger than 8 3 / 4 to nearly 13 inches ( 22 to 34 cm ) long . southeastern pocket gophers ( geomys pinetis ) are of various shades of brown , depending on soil color , and are from 9 to 13 1 / 4 inches ( 23 to 34 cm ) long .
these methods take advantage of knowledge of the habitat requirements of pocket gophers or their feeding behavior to reduce or eliminate damage .
lawn damage pocket gophers eat root crops such as carrots from below ground but will readily pull the entire plant belowground . chicory root damage description : alfalfa , carrots and other root crops can be damaged by pocket gophers . photo credits : dallas virchow
crop rotation . there are many good reasons for using a crop rotation scheme , not the least of which is minimizing problems with pocket gophers . when alfalfa is rotated with grain crops , the resultant habitat is incapable of supporting pocket gophers . the annual grains do not establish large underground storage structures and thus there is insufficient food for pocket gophers to survive year - round .
numerous predators eat pocket gophers . some of the predators pursue the gopher in its tunnel system ( weasels , perhaps spotted skunks , and several snakes including gopher , bull , and rattlesnakes ) . badgers are adept at digging out gophers , and a whole host of predators prey on gophers when they are aboveground feeding , dispersing , or while they construct their mounds . other mammalian predators include coyotes , domestic dogs , foxes , house cats , striped skunks , and bobcats . raptors that prey on gophers include several owls , especially great horned and barn owls , and several hawks .
the plain pocket gopher is named for the large external , fur - lined pouches in both cheeks . the cheek pouches are filled rapidly with the forepaws , using a wiping motion that forces the food into the open end of the mouth . food is transported in these pouches , and what is not eaten is stored in caches in the burrow system .
figure 3 . these three genera of pocket gophers can be differentiated by relative size of forefeet and front surfaces of upper incisors .
pocket gopher is the common name for any of the herbivorous , burrowing rodents comprising the family geomyidae , characterized by a tubular - shaped body , small eyes , reduced external ears , short limbs , and short and almost hairless tail . these are the
true
gophers , although several ground squirrels of the family sciuridae are often called gophers as well . the many species of pocket gophers are found only in the western hemisphere , extending from canada in north america to colombia in south america .
these animals are solitary and territorial . males leave their burrows in early spring to mate , but then return to their territory . territories of males are generally larger than those of females , and boundaries may be contiguous ( macdonald 1984 ) . pocket gophers fight other pocket gophers unknown to them , and there is male - male aggression during the breeding season ( macdonald 1984 ; paradiso 1975 ) . burrows are relatively shallow in the summer ( 20 - 30 cm - whitaker 1997 ) , and somewhat deeper in the winter . pocket gopher burrows can be found by piles of earth which are left nearby as the burrow is excavated .
the burrows of pocket gophers can help to aerate soil , and also provide some flood control by improving drainage ( paradiso 1975 ) .
vulnerability to trapping differs among species of pocket gophers and sometimes within the same species in different areas and at different times of the year .
pocket gophers are mainly crepuscular ( active at dusk and dawn ) and some are nocturnal . they do not hibernate ( hafner 2004 ) .
southeastern pocket gophers ( geomys pinetis , fig . 4c ) are found in northern and central florida , southern georgia , and southeastern alabama . southern pocket gophers ( thomomys umbrinus , fig . 4c ) range primarily in central america , but occur in extreme southwestern new mexico and southeastern arizona .
alsager , d . e . , ed . 1970 . control of pocket gophers . alberta department of agriculture , publication no . 686 , 16 pp .
the rate of mound building is highly variable . estimates include an average of 1 to 3 per day , and up to 70 mounds per month . this activity brings large amounts of soil to the surface , variously estimated at 2 1 / 4 tons ( 2 mt ) per gopher each year , or 46 3 / 4 tons per acre ( 103 . 9 mt / ha ) for a population of 50 southern pocket gophers .
heaney , l . , r . timm . 1985 . morphology , genetics , and ecology of pocket gophers ( genus geomys ) in a narrow hybrid zone .
pocket gophers sometimes occupy fairly rocky habitats , although those habitats generally do not have more than 10 % rocks in the top 8 inches ( 20 cm ) of soil . pocket gophers appear to burrow around rocks greater than 1 inch ( 2 . 5 cm ) in diameter , but smaller rocks are frequently pushed to the surface .
as long as they remain in their burrows , pocket gophers are relatively safe from predators other than those which are specialized for digging , such as badgers and long - tailed weasels . however , when a gopher leaves its burrow it is highly vulnerable , and most predation losses probably occur on the surface . known predators , other than those mentioned above , include coyotes , skunks , domestic cats , hawks , owls , and several kinds of snakes . as a result of the protection offered by the burrow , pocket gophers are long - lived relative to many other rodents , insectivores , and lagomorphs , living an average of 1 - 2 years in the wild .
figure 13 adapted from e . k . boggess ( 1980 ) , “pocket gophers , ” in handbook on prevention and control of wildlife damage , kansas state university , manhattan .
patton , j . 1984 . pocket gophers . pages 628 - 631 in d . macdonald , the encyclopedia of mammals . new york : facts on file . isbn 0871968711 .
the fossil record of pocket gophers is known for as far back as the early miocene / late oligocene , about 25 million years ago . in addition , the evolutionary relationship of the species of lice found on pocket gophers appears to mirror the evolutionary history of the their host species , suggesting a relationship that goes back millions of years ( hafner 2004 ) .
thomomys have smooth - faced incisors and small forefeet with small claws . northern pocket gophers ( thomomys talpoides ) are typically from 6 1 / 2 to 10 inches ( 17 to 25 cm ) long . their fur is variable in color but is often yellowish brown with pale underparts . botta’s ( or valley ) pocket gophers ( thomomys bottae ) are extremely variable in size and color . botta’s pocket gophers are 5 inches to about 13 1 / 2 inches ( 13 to 34 cm ) long . their color varies from almost white to black .
northern pocket gophers ( thomomys talpoides , fig . 4b ) range throughout most of the states in the northern half of the western united states . yellow - faced pocket gophers ( pappogeomys castanops , fig . 4b ) occur from mexico , along the western edge of texas , eastern new mexico , southeastern colorado , southwestern kansas , and into the panhandle of oklahoma .
identification : head and body 5 1 / 2 - 9in . ( 140 - 229mm ) ; tail 2 - 4 1 / 2in . ( 51 - 113mm ) ; wt . 4 1 / 2 - 12 1 / 2oz . ( 127 - 354g ) . largest in the north , smallest in the south ; males larger than females . color varies from yellowish tawny to browns ; nearly black in illinois . spotted and albino individuals fairly common . may be distinguished from other pocket gophers ( except south texas pocket gopher ) by the 2 distinct grooves down front of each upper incisor . skull . . . has 20 teeth . there are 6 mammae .
( 1 )
kennerly , t . e . , jr . 1958 . comparisons of morphology and life history of two species of pocket gophers . texas j . sci . 10 : 133 - 146 .
tree damage pocket gophers girdle growing trees and shrubs at or near ground level . they can remove some or all of tree roots . trees up to several inches trunk diameter can be killed .
the artificial burrows should be constructed at a depth similar to those constructed by gophers in your area . the artificial burrows may intercept the gopher burrows , or the gophers may inquisitively enter the artificial burrows , gather bait in their cheek pouches , and return to their burrow system to consume the bait . recommended application rates of 1 to 2 pounds per acre ( 1 . 1 to 2 . 2 kg / ha ) of 0 . 3 to 0 . 5 % strychnine alkaloid grain should provide an 85 % to 95 % reduction in the gopher population ( table 1 demonstrates how to calculate bait delivery rates ) . the burrows should be spaced at 20 - to 25 - foot ( 6 - to 8 - m ) intervals . to assure success :
burrowing animals , pocket gophers are found in habitat with soil where they can create subterranean tunnels and that does not flood , including meadows , forests , deserts , and agricultural fields , including high - elevation habitats .
hegdal , p . l . , and t . a . gatz . 1976 . hazards to wildlife associated with underground strychnine baiting for pocket gophers . proc . vertebr . pest conf . 7 : 158 - 266 .
pocket gophers ( fig . 1 ) are fossorial ( burrowing ) rodents , so named because they have fur - lined pouches outside of the mouth , one on each side of the face ( fig . 2 ) .
a wide variety of habitats are occupied by pocket gophers . they occur from low coastal areas to elevations in excess of 12 , 000 feet ( 3 , 600 m ) . pocket gophers similarly are found in a wide variety of soil types and conditions . they reach their greatest densities on friable , light - textured soils with good herbage production , especially when that vegetation has large , fleshy roots , bulbs , tubers , or other underground storage structures .
hegdal , p . l . , and a . j . harbour . 1991 . pocket gophers . pages 5 - 19 in prevention and control of animal damage to hydraulic structures . united states printing office , denver , colorado .
agricultural damage pocket gophers remove roots of alfalfa , chicory , turnips , sugar beets , pasture grasses , clovers and other field crops . their large earth mounds can slow or damage crop harvesting equipment . their tunnels can divert irrigation water .
pocket gophers feed on plants in three ways : 1 ) they feed on roots that they encounter when digging ; 2 ) they may go to the surface , venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening to feed on aboveground vegetation ; and 3 ) they pull vegetation into their tunnel from below . pocket gophers eat forbs , grasses , shrubs , and trees . they are strict herbivores , and any animal material in their diet appears to result from incidental ingestion .
fumigants are not recommended for two reasons . first , gophers will back fill a tunnel when they perceive danger thus preventing the gas from reaching them . second , pushing gas through the extensive burrowing system typical of pocket gophers is very difficult .
pocket gophers are medium - sized rodents ranging from about 5 to nearly 14 inches ( 13 to 36 cm ) long ( head and body ) . adult males are larger than adult females . their fur is very fine , soft , and highly variable in color . colors range from nearly black to pale brown to almost white . the great variability in size and color of pocket gophers is attributed to their low dispersal rate and thus limited gene flow , resulting in adaptation to local conditions .
decisions on whether or not to control gophers may be influenced by the animals’ benefits , which are long - term and not always readily recognized , and the damage they cause , which is obvious and sometimes substantial in the short - term . landowners who are currently troubled by pocket gophers can gain tremendously by studying the gophers’ basic biology . they would gain economically by learning how to manage their systems with pocket gophers in mind , and aesthetically by understanding how this interesting animal “makes a living . ”
pocket gophers feed on plants in three ways : ( 1 ) they feed on roots that they encounter when digging ; ( 2 ) they may go to the surface , venturing only a body length or so from their tunnel opening to feed on aboveground vegetation ; and ( 3 ) they pull vegetation into their tunnel from below . pocket gophers eat forbs , grasses , shrubs , and trees . they are strict herbivores , and any animal material in their diet appears to result from incidental ingestion .
these rodents feed on a variety of plant items , chiefly roots and stems of weeds and grasses . most plant food is encountered and ingested while the gopher digs , but some
grazing
of food present along burrow walls probably also occurs . the furlined cheek pouches are used to carry food and nesting material but never dirt . captive gophers have eaten white grubs , small grasshoppers , beetle pupae , and crickets . earthworms and raw beef were ignored .
barnes , v . g . , jr . 1973 . pocket gophers and reforestation in the pacific northwest : a problem analysis . us fish wildl . serv . special sci . rep . wildl . no . 155 . washington , dc . 18 pp .
traps set for pocket gophers below ground description : a single trap can be set into the tunnel leading from the mound to the horizontal feeding tunnel . or two traps can be set opposite each other in the feeding tunnel . photo credits : university of nebraska
plain pocket gophers are solitary creatures . males will only seek out females during the mating season , and when over , will return to live its life on its own . both sexes are also territorial and do their best to keep their burrows a good distance from others .
radwan , m . a . , g . l . couch , c . a . harrington , and w . d . ellis . 1982 . terpenes of ponderosa pine and feeding preferences by pocket gophers . j . chem . ecol . 8 : 241 - 253 .
trapping can be done year - round because gophers are always active , but a formidable effort is required for trapping when the soil is frozen . trapping is most effective when gophers are pushing up new mounds , generally in spring and fall . if a trap is not visited within 48 hours , move it to a new location . leave traps set in a tunnel system even if you have trapped a gopher in spring and early summer , when gophers are most likely to share their quarters .
pocket gophers ( fig . 1 ) are fossorial ( burrowing ) rodents , so named because they have fur - lined pouches outside of the mouth , one on each side of the face ( fig . 2 ) . these pockets , which are capable of being turned inside out , are used for carrying food . pocket gophers are powerfully built in the forequarters and have a short neck ; the head is fairly small and flattened . the forepaws are large - clawed and the lips close behind their large incisors , all marvelous adaptations to their underground existence .
hafner , m . s . 2004 . pocket gophers ( geomyidae ) . pages 185 to 198 in b . grzimek et al . , grzimek ' s animal life encyclopedia , 2nd ed . , vol . 16 . detroit , mi : thomson / gale . isbn 0787657921 .
many rodents have check pouches for storing food . these internal pouches connect to the pharynx and may have evolved gradually under selective pressure for holding more and more food in the mouth . but the geomyidae ( pocket gophers ) and heteromyidae ( kangaroo rats and pocket mice ) have invaginated their cheeks to form external fur - lined pouches with no connection to the mouth or pharynx . what good is an incipient groove or furrow on the outside ? did such hypothetical ancestors run about three - legged while holding a few scraps of food in an imperfect crease with their fourth leg ?
the closest relatives of the pocket gophers are the members of the rodent family heteromyidae , the pocket mice , kangaroo mice , and kangaroo rats . members of both of these families are characterized by external , fur - lined cheek pouches for storing food , a trait unique from the internal pouches found in many rodents . this feature was used by evolutionist stephen jay gould as support for the conjecture that evolutionary adaptations can come about suddenly rather than by a series of small steps , since it is hard to conceive of an intermediary with just a small crease having any adaptive advantage .
turner , g . t . , r . m . hansen , v . h . reid , h . p . tietjen , and a . l . ward . 1973 . pocket gophers and colorado mountain rangelands . colorado state univ . exp . stn . bulletin 554s . 90 pp .
pocket gophers reach sexual maturity in the spring following their birth . in the northern part of their range they have 1 litter per year . in the southern portion they may have 2 litters per year . one researcher has suggested that thomomys in irrigated alfalfa in california may breed throughout the year .
the extensive burrowing activity of pocket gophers moves a lot of soil , which frees up nutrients for plants and helps in plant distribution through movement of plant parts , such as tubers and roots . they are also important ecologically as part of food chains , being consumed by owls , snakes , and coyotes , among others . native americans also have used them as a food source and they are considered a delicacy in parts of latin america . on the other hand , the herbivorous behavior of pocket gophers also has led to their damaging agricultural crops and trees , and they are widely considered agricultural pests .
thomomys bottae ; many subspecies , including the botta ' s , fish spring , bonneville , clear lake , san antonio , pistol river , mount ellen , guadalupe , limpia , mearns ' , stansbury island , antelope island , cebolleta , salinas , skull valley , swasey springs , harquahala and limpia greek pocket gophers .
thirty - four species of pocket gophers , represented by five genera , occupy the western hemisphere . in the united states there are 13 species and three genera . the major features differentiating these genera are the size of their forefeet , claws , and front surfaces of their chisel - like incisors ( fig . 3 ) .
buried utility cables and irrigation lines can be protected by enclosing them in various materials , as long as the outside diameter exceeds 2 . 9 inches ( 7 . 4 cm ) . gophers can open their mouths only wide enough to allow about a 1 - inch ( 2 . 5 - cm ) span between the upper and lower incisors . thus , the recommended diameter presents an essentially flat surface to most pocket gophers . cables can be protected in this manner whether they are armored or not . soft metals such as lead and aluminum used for armoring cables are readily damaged by pocket gophers if the diameters are less than the suggested sizes .
these pockets , which are capable of being turned inside out , are used for carrying food . pocket gophers are powerfully built in the forequarters and have a short neck ; the head is fairly small and flattened . the forepaws are large - clawed and the lips close behind their large incisors , all marvelous adaptations to their underground existence .
pocket gophers also tunnel through snow , above the ground . soil from below ground is pushed into the snow tunnels , but mounds are not built . when the snow melts , the soil casts ( tubes ) remain on the ground until they weather away . soil casts are left by both thomomys and geomys in areas where snow cover is adequate for burrowing .
the incisors of pocket gophers , as in all rodents , grow continuously to repair the wear and tear on the teeth . on the other hand , gophers must gnaw continuously to keep their teeth ground to an appropriate length . gophers exert tremendous pressure with their bite , up to 18 , 000 pounds per square inch ( 1 , 265 kg / cm2 ) .
chase , j . d . , w . e . howard , and j . t . roseberry . 1982 . pocket gophers . pages . 239 - 255 in j . a . chapman and g . a . feldhamer , eds . wild mammals of north america : biology , management , and economics . the johns hopkins univ . press , baltimore , maryland .


it is found on borneo .

the wingspan is about 22 mm .

isocossus retak

isocossus retak is a moth in the cossidae family . it is found on borneo . the habitat consists of upper montane forests .
figures 1 − 11 . 1 . isocossus zolotuhini yakovlev , sp . nov . , holotype , male . 2 . isocossus cruciatus ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 3 . isocossus seria ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 4 . isocossus stroehli yakovlev , 2006 , holotype , male . 5 . isocossus stroehli yakovlev , 2006 , paratype , male , malaysia , cameron highlands , sw ringlet ( brücke ) , 650 m , 4 ° 21 ' 36 ' ' n ; 101 ° 20 ' 52 ' ' e , 12 . – 21 . 0 7 . 2001 . leg . ströhle ( msw ) . 6 . isocossus retak ( holloway , . . .
figures 12 − 14 . 12 . genitalia of holotype of isocossus zolotuhini yakovlev , sp . nov . 13 . distribution of genus isocossus roepke , 1957 . 14 . type locality ( thue thien hue prov . , a ruang ) of isocossus zolotuhini yakovlev , sp . nov . ( photo by vadim zolotuhin )
figures 1 − 11 . 1 . isocossus zolotuhini yakovlev , sp . nov . , holotype , male . 2 . isocossus cruciatus ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 3 . isocossus seria ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 4 . isocossus stroehli yakovlev , 2006 , holotype , male . 5 . isocossus stroehli yakovlev , 2006 , paratype , male , malaysia , cameron highlands , sw ringlet ( brücke ) , 650 m , 4 ° 21 ’ 36 ’’ n ; 101 ° 20 ’ 52 ’’ e , 12 . – 21 . 0 7 . 2001 . leg . ströhle ( msw ) . 6 . isocossus retak ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 7 . isocossus rufipecten ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 8 . isocossus telisai ( holloway , 1986 ) , holotype , male . 9 . isocossus telisai ( holloway , 1986 ) , male , borneo , sabah prov . , trus madi bei apin apin , 1080 m , 21 . 03 . – 12 . 04 . 2006 , leg . k . martini ( mwm ) . 10 . isocossus vandeldeni roepke , 1957 , holotype , male . 11 . isocossus vandeldeni roepke , 1957 , male , borneo , sabah prov . , trus madi bei apin apin , 1080 m , 21 . 03 . – 12 . 0 4 . 2006 , leg . k . martini ( mwm ) .
brunei : 1619m , bukit retak , montane forest , 14 . 9 . 1979 ( lt . col . m . g . allen ) bm cossid slide 131 .
yakovlev , roman v . , 2015 , a new species of isocossus roepke , 1957 ( lepidoptera : cossidae ) from vietnam , including a world catalogue of the genus , zootaxa 3990 ( 1 ) , pp . 141 - 146 : 142
this dataset contains the digitized treatments in plazi based on the original journal article yakovlev , roman v . ( 2015 ) : a new species of isocossus roepke , 1957 ( lepidoptera : cossidae ) from vietnam , including a world catalogue of the genus . zootaxa 3990 ( 1 ) : 141 - 146 , doi : urltoken
select a genera cossus fabricius - cossus kinabaluensis gaede - cossus verbeeki roepke - cossus chloratoides sp . n - cossus chloratus swinhoe - cossus javanus roepke - cossus speideli sp . n - cossus cinereus roepke - cossus vandeldeni roepke comb . n - cossus rufipecten sp . n - cossus cruciatus sp . n - cossus retak sp . n - cossus telisai sp . n - cossus seria sp . n azygophleps hampson - azygophleps nurella swinhoe zeuzera latreille - zeuzera indica herrich - schaffer - zeuzera caudata joicey & talbot - zeuzera conferta walker - zeuzera coffeae nietner - zeuzera lineata gaede - zeuzera borneana roepke xyleutes hubner - xyleutes strix linnaeus - xyleutes persona le guillou - xyleutes mineus cramer - xyleutes ceramica walker - xyleutes quarlesi roepke - xyleutes stenoptera roepke - xyleutes adusta roepke - xyleutes malayica roepke - xyleutes pardicolor moore - xyleutes lutescens roepke - xyleutes anceps snellen - xyleutes euphyes west - xyleutes distyograpta roepke - xyleutes maculatus snellen
and has the ventral anterior of the prothorax dark as in that species , but both patagia and tegulae are darker than the pale cream - yellow centre of the thorax , rather than just the tegulae . there is a pair of dark brown spots dorsally at the base of the abdomen . the forewing ground colour is white , heavily blotched and reticulated with dark grey as illustrated , with some entire but irregular transverse striae towards the margin .
the male genitalia have the uncus narrow relative to the tegumen , tapering slightly to a rounded apex . the bulla is deep . the valve is apically biangular , upcurved , without distal ornament . the basal spine is robust .
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the wingspan is about 22 mm . the forewing ground colour is white , blotched and reticulated with dark grey .
scopula marginepunctata , the mullein wave , is a moth of the family geometridae .
the small fan - footed wave ( idaea biselata ) is a moth of the family geometridae .
thera obeliscata , the grey pine carpet , is a moth of the family geometridae .
phthorimaea operculella , also known as the potato tuber moth or tobacco splitworm , is a major pest on potatoes in new zealand and south africa .
licigena is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily olethreutinae of the family tortricidae .
notioclepsis is a monotypic genus of moths belonging to the subfamily tortricinae of the family tortricidae .
the riband wave ( idaea aversata ) is a moth of the family geometridae .
the swallow - tailed moth ( ourapteryx sambucaria ) is a moth of the family geometridae .
selenia dentaria , the early thorn , is a moth of the family geometridae .
the clouded border ( lomaspilis marginata ) is a moth of the family geometridae .
pyrsarcha is a genus of moths belonging to the subfamily tortricinae of the family tortricidae .
wheeleria spilodactylus ( the horehound plume moth ) is a moth of the pterophoridae family .
pandemis cerasana , the barred fruit - tree tortrix , is a moth of the family tortricidae .
enarmonia formosana , the cherrybark tortrix or cherry - bark moth , is a small but colorful moth species of the family tortricidae .
epermenia insecurella , the chalk - hill lance - wing , is a moth of the family epermeniidae .
coleophora argentifimbriata is a moth of the coleophoridae family that can be found in algeria and turkey .
coleophora strophingella is a moth of the coleophoridae family that can be found in algeria and iran .
apsidophora is a genus of moths belonging to the subfamily olethreutinae of the family tortricidae .
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processes of proximal part of antenna ) . tegula pale brown . thorax with spot of flour w
ht trap at the end of april , in a primary tropical forest at 663 m .
rus madi bei apin apin , 1080 m , 21 . 03 . –12 . 04 . 2006 , leg . k . martini ( mwm ) . 1
ype locality : lebong soelit , z . w . sumatra [ indonesia , sumatra isl . , bengkulu province , near bengku
ype locality : c [ entral ] . vietnam , thue thien hue prov . , a ruang .
( moscow ) for technical support . i am indebted to the bmnh council of trustees for kindly granting
holloway , j . d . ( 1986 ) the moths of borneo : part i . key to families ; f
. ( 1957 ) the cossids of the malay region ( lepidoptera : heterocera ) .
. ( 2006 ) new cossidae ( lepidoptera ) from asia , africa and macronesia .
the lepidoptera of white sands national monument , otero county , new mexico , usa 9 . a new species of givira walker ( cossidae , hypoptinae ) dedicated to delinda mix , including a list of species of cossidae recorded from the monument
descriptions of three new species of cossidae ( lepidoptera ) from vietnam , with an updated annotated . . .
forty - two species of cossidae representing 27 genera are reported for socialist republic of vietnam . three species ( paracossus zyaung yakovlev sp . nov . , phragmacossia laklong yakovlev sp . nov . , butaya auko yakovlev sp . nov . ) are described as new to science . five species ( paracossus indradit yakovlev , 2009 , p . griseatus yakovlev , 2009 , aholcocerus ihleorum yakovlev & witt , 2009 , skeletophyllon . . . [ show full abstract ]
a world catalogue of aholcocerus yakovlev , 2006 ( lepidoptera , cossidae ) with description of a new sp . . .
aholcocerus jakli yakovlev & witt sp . nov . is described from indonesia . a catalogue of the genus aholcocerus yakovlev , 2006 is provided . external appearance of all species of the genus is illustrated .
a new species of lakshmia yakovlev , 2004 ( lepidoptera : cossidae ) from northern thailand with a world . . .
a cossid genus lakshmia yakovlev , 2004 , was established by an original designation of the type species , lakshmia zolotuhini yakovlev , 2004 . among the genera within the subfamily zeuzerinae boisduval , [ 1828 ] , this genus is closely related to phragmataecia newman , 1850 ( type species : noctua arundinis hübner , [ 1808 ] ) , butaya yakovlev , 2004 ( type species : butaya gracilis yakovlev , 2004 ) and . . . [ show full abstract ]
iii ( 3 ) , 2011 . 284 - 286 удк 595 . 787 © amurian zoological journal iii ( 3 ) , 2011 . 284 - 286 два новых вида древоточцев ( lepidoptera , cossidae ) из новой гвинеи р . в . яковлев [ yakovlev r . v . two new species of the goat moths ( lepidoptera , cossidae ) from new guinea ] алтайский государственный университет ( южно - сибирский ботанический сад ) , пр . ленина , 61 , г . барнаул , 656049 , россия .
synopsis eighteen species of cossidae representing 13 genera are reported for nepal . six species , rapdalus pardicolor ( moore , 1876 ) , azygophleps scalaris ( fabricius , 1775 ) , roerichiora stigmaticus ( moore , 1879 ) , phragmataecia minor moore , 1879 , phragmataecia gummata swinhoe , 1892 , and phragmacossia dudgeoni ( arora , 1974 ) , are new country records . a brief biogegraphical overview of the cossidae . . . [ show full abstract ]
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type material . holotype : male , c [ entral ] . vietnam , thue thien hue prov . , a ruang , 663 m , 16 °04’n ; 107 ° 51 ’e , 24– 27 . 0 4 . 2009 , leg . v . zolotuhin & a . gurkovich ( mwm ) ; paratype : male , same locality and data ( ryb ) .
, but is readily distinguished by the structure of the male genitalia . it differs from
by longer processes of the transtilla , the smooth dorsal edge of valve , and thin uncus .
male genitalia typical for the genus , uncus stout with slightly developed incisure ; tegumen medium - sized ; branches of gnathos rather stout , medium - sized ; gnathos stout , densely covered by small thorns ; processes of transtilla massive , hook - like , with thick bases and pointed tips , as long as 1 / 3 of valva ; juxta small , heavily sclerotized , with long oar - like lateral processes situated at 100 º to each other , length of juxta processes equal to length of transtilla processes ; valvae rather broad , with well - developed sacculus , their distal fourth membranous , transition zone between proximal sclerotized part and distal membranous part unsharp , costal edge of valva slightly curved ; saccus semicircular , rather massive . aedeagus thick , strongly arched at medium third , slightly shorter than valva , pore of vesica in dorso - apical position and occupying 2 / 5 of aedeagus length , vesica without cornuti .
etymology . the new species is named after a well known russian lepidopterist dr . vadim zolotuhin ( ulyanovsk ) , a specialist in macroheterocera .
ecology . specimens were attracted by light trap at the end of april , in a primary tropical forest at 663 m .
no known copyright restrictions apply . see agosti , d . , egloff , w . , 2009 . taxonomic information exchange and copyright : the plazi approach . bmc research notes 2009 , 2 : 53 for further explanation .
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