Orphe gerasa
Creators: name: Suênia-Bastos, Ayane
name: Mielke, Olaf Hermann Hendrik
name: Casagrande, Mirna Martins
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Hesperiidae
Orphe
Orphe gerasa

description: Orphe gerasa (Hewitson, 1867)
(Figs 1, 3A, C, 4, 6A, B, 7)
Hesperia gerasa Hewitson, 1867. Illustr. Exot. Butt. 4, p. [106], pl. [56] (Hesperia 1), figs 6, 7 (d, v); Montes Aureos, Maranhão, [Brazil]; collection Belt.-Kirby, 1879. Cat. Coll. Diurn. Lep. Hewitson, p. 218.-Plötz, 1882. Stett. ent. Ztg. 43: 332.
Goniloba gerasa; Herrich-Schäffer, 1869. Corr.-Blatt zool.-min. Ver. Regensburg 23: 196.
Pamphila gerasa; Kirby, 1871. Syn. Cat. Diurn. Lep., p. 597.
Proteides gerasa; Mabille, 1878. Ann. Soc. ent. Belg. 21: 36.
Proteides porius Mabille, 1883. Ann. Soc. ent. Belg. 27, C. R., p. 59; South America.
Proteides subcordatus Mabille, 1889. Le Nat. (2)3 (51): 99, fig. 3 (d, v); male, female, Chiriqui, [Panama]; collection Staudinger
Proteides milo Mabille, 1891. Ann. Soc. ent. Belg. 35, C. R., p. 87; nom. nov. pro Proteides subcordatus Mabille, 1889, praeocc. (Herrich-Schäffer).
Orphe gerasa; Godman, 1901, in Godman & Salvin. Biol. Centr.-Amer., Lep. 2, p. 620; syn.: sucordatus, milo.-Mabille, 1904, in Wytsman. Gen. Ins. 17, p. 168; syn.: subcordatus, milo.-Draudt, 1923, in Seitz. Gross-Schmett. Erde 5, p. 991, pl. 191a (d, v); syn.: subcordatus, milo.-Lindsey, 1925. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. 18: 95.- Hayward, 1947. Acta zool. Lill. 4: 366; syn.: subcordatus, milo.- Moss, 1949. Acta zool. Lill. 7: 76; hostplant.- Evans, 1955. Cat. Amer. Hesp. 4, p. 247, pl. 70 (male gen.); syn.: porius, subcordatus, milo.-Hughes, 1959. Entomol. 92: 87.-Silva et al., 1968. Quarto Cat. Ins. viv. Plantas Brasil 2 (1), p. 306; hostplant.-Ebert, 1968, in Silva et al. Quarto Cat. Ins. viv. Plantas Brasil 2 (2), p. 234.-O. Mielke, 1973. Acta biol. paranaense 2: 36.-Steinhauser, 1975. Bull. Allyn Mus. 29: 34.-de Jong, 1983. Tijd. Ent. 126: 246.- Bridges, 1983. Lep. Hesp. 1, p. 48, 76, 96, 113; 2, p. 24; syn.: milo, porius, subcordatus.-K. Brown, 1987. An. Prim. Simp. Pantanal, Brasília, p. 168.-Bridges, 1988. Cat. Hesp. 1, p. 76, 120, 152, 179; 2, p. 39; syn.: milo, porius subcordatus.- Lamas, 1994, in Foster et al. RAP Working Papers 6: 176.-Bridges, 1994. Cat. Fam.-Group, Gen.-Group, Sp.-Group Nam. Hesp. (Lep.) World 7, p. 2; 8, p. 90, 144, 182, 215; 9, p. 44; syn.: porius, subcordatus, milo.-Robbins et al., 1996, in Wilson & Sandoval. Manu, p. 250.-Moreno, Silva & Estévez, 1998. Marip. Ecuador, p. 160.-Maes et al., 1999, in Maes. Cat. Ins. Art. Nicaragua 3, p. 1279; syn.: porius, subcordatus, milo.-O. Mielke, 2004. Hesperioidea, p. 74, in Lamas (ed.). Checklist: Part 4A, Hesperioidea-Papilionoidea, in Heppner (ed.). Atlas Neotrop. Lep. 5A; syn.: porius, subcordatus, milo.-Garwood et al., 2007. Butt. South. Amaz., p. 233, fig. (v).- Anderson, 2007. Bull. Allyn Mus. 146: 13.-Beccaloni et al., 2008. Monografías Tercer Milenio 8: 42; hostplant.-Garwood et al., 2009. Butt. South. Amaz., 2 nd ed., p. 321, fig. (v).- Francini et al., 2011. Revta bras. Ent. 55 (1): 67.-Silva, [2011]. Ecol. Mariposas Ecuador, p. 201.-Garwood & Lehman, 2013. Butt. C. Amer. 3, Hesp., p. 176, figs (male, female v).-Freitas et al., 2016, in Rolim, Menezes & Srbek-Araújo. Floresta Atl. de Tabuleiro, p. 323.-Queiroz-Santos et al., 2016. ZooKeys 595, Suppl. Mat.-Palo Jr., 2017. Borb. Brasil 3, p. 2319.- Glassberg, 2017. Swift Guide Butt. Mexico and C. America, 2 nd ed., p. 258, fig. (v); hostplant.-Sambhu & Nankishore, 2018. Zootaxa 4371 (1): 29.- Cong et al., 2019. Insecta Mundi 731: 51, figs 13 (genomic tree).- Zhang et al., 2022. Insecta Mundi 921: 95, 127, fig. 17 (genomic tree).-Mota et al., 2022. Biota Neotrop. 22 (3): e20221367, p. 19.-Gallardo & Diaz, 2022. Guide Butt. Honduras, p. 334.-Kawahara et al., 2023. Nat. Ecol. & Evol. 7: 903-913, Fig. S1 (time calibrated tree), Table S1 (specimen inf.).-Zhang et al., 2023. Zootaxa 5319 (4): 579, fig. (Z chromosome tree, mitochondrial genome tree).
Orphe porius; Mabille, 1904, in Wytsman. Gen. Ins. 17, p. 168.-Draudt, 1923, in Seitz. Gross-Schmett. Erde 5, p. 991.
(no genus) gerasa; Beattie, 1976. Rhop. Direct., p. 151.
(no genus) porius; Beattie, 1976. Rhop. Direct., p. 237.
(no genus) subcordatus; Beattie, 1976. Rhop. Direct., p. 265.
(no genus) milo; Beattie, 1976. Rhop. Direct., p. 202.
Orfhe [sic] gerasa; O. Mielke, 2005. Cat. Amer. Hesperioidea 5, p. 1126; syn.: porius, subcordatus, milo.
(no name) Garwood et al., 2007. Butt. South. Amaz., p. 234, fig. (v) (unknown ruby-eye).
Taxonomic history
Hesperia gerasa was described by Hewitson (1867) based on an unspecified number of specimens from Montes Áureos, [Municipality of Centro de Guilherme], Maranhão, Brazil. Hesperia gerasa was transferred to Goniloba Westwood, 1852 (Herrich-Schäffer 1869), Pamphila Fabricius, 1807 (Kirby 1871), and Proteides Hübner, [1819] (Mabille 1878). Mabille (1883) described Proteides porius based on an unspecified number of specimens from South America. Subsequently, Mabille (1889) described Proteides subcordatus based on an unspecified number of specimens from Chiriquí, Panama. After realizing that P. subcordatus was a homonym, Mabille (1891) designated Proteides milo as a new name for the species.When Godman (1901) proposed Orphe, Hesperia gerasa was transferred to this genus, and both species described by Mabille were synonymized with H. gerasa. Mabille (1904) transferred Proteides porius to Orphe, and this name was treated as a junior synonym of O. gerasa by Evans (1955).
Etymology
Not informed by the author.
Diagnosis
FW length: male, 20–22 mm; female, 22–23 mm. The male of this species superficially resembles P. pyrex; however, it can be easily distinguished from it by the stigma. The female is distinguished from P. pyrex by the lilac scales, whereas P. pyrex has dark yellowish scales in discal to anal areas of the VHW. Male and female wings ventrally with lilac scales in apical and submarginal areas (Figs 1B, D). Stigma with a single row of grey scales along its edge in CuA 1 and 2A (Fig. 3A). Male genitalia (Fig. 4) with anterior projection of saccus shorter than the length of tegumen + uncus; uncus truncated posteriorly, with two distal tips sclerotized; gnathos shorter than uncus, with dark punctuations distally; valva, harpe with a dorso-distal spined bifid projection, ampulla directed dorsally; aedeagus with tiny and a few cornuti. Female genitalia (Figs 6A–B) with lamella antevaginalis formed by two sclerotized lateral plates projected towards and exceeding the lamella postvaginalis; median projection of lamella antevaginalis not reaching the lamella postvaginalis.
Comments
In some males, the hyaline spot in CuA 1 –CuA 2 on FW is absent, a small spot still appears in M 1 –M 2. In females, the spot in M 1 –M 2 on FW is always present. In males, the two hyaline spots on FW in the discal cell are sometimes fused, forming a single spot, whereas in females the discal cell always has a single spot.
Type material
Hesperia gerasa was described and illustrated by Hewitson (1867) based on an unspecified number of specimens from Montes Áureos, [Municipality of Centro de Guilherme], Maranhão, Brazil, deposited in the Belt collection. One syntype male, found in NHMUK, has the following labels: / Type / Type / red label without information / Maranham [Maranhão, Brasil] Hewitson Coll. 70-69. Hesperia gerasa, Hew. /. Thus, in order to stabilize the identity of this species, this syntype is designated herein as the lectotype, adding the following two labels: / LECTOTYPUS / Lectotype Hesperia gerasa Hewitson, 1867 Suênia-Bastos, Mielke & Casagrande det. 2024/.
Proteides porius was described by Mabille (1883) based on an unspecified number of specimens from South America, but the type could not be found.
Proteides subcordatus was described by Mabille (1889) based on an unspecified number of specimens from Chiriquí, Panama, firstly deposited in the Staudinger collection, then deposited at the MfN now. One syntype male, found in MfN, has the following labels: / Prot. Subcordatus HS ♂ / Coll. Staudinger / Lectotypus / Chiriqui / Perichares gerasa HW. / 127: 1 /. Thus, in order to stabilize the identity of this species, this syntype is designated herein as the lectotype, adding the following two labels: / LECTOTYPUS / Lectotype Proteides subcordatus Mabille, 1889 Suênia-Bastos, Mielke & Casagrande det. 2024/.
Material examined
The remaining material examined:
PANAMA: Panama, Ciudad de Panamá (Summit), 1-VI-1977, 1♂, Robbins leg., DZ 58.115 (DZUP).
PERU: Madre de Díos, (Tambopata National Reserve), 12° 50’S, 69°17’W, 300 m, 27-X-1991, 1♂, O. Mielke leg., 26-X-1991, 1♂, M. Casagrande leg., DZ 58.116, 58.117 (DZUP). San Martín, Moyobamba, 6°02’13”S, 76°58’22”W, 800 m, X-2016, 1♀, J. Pintado leg., OM 81.329 (OM). Cuzco, (1 km NE Atalaya), 12°52’S, 71°22’W, 500 m, 7-11-XI-2012, 1♂, O. Mielke leg., OM 74.063 (OM).
BRAZIL: Amapá, Serra do Navio, 29-VII-2007, 1♀, O. Mielke & Casagrande leg., DZ 58.118 (DZUP). Amazonas, (40 km S de Humaitá), 4-VII-2001, 1♀, O. Mielke leg., OM 53.725 (OM). Pará, (Rio Cuminá, Cachoeira da Paciência), 15-X-1936, 1♂, D’Almeida leg., DZ 58.133 (DZUP); Itaituba, 24-VII-1973, 1♀, M. Lauterjung leg., DZ 58.119 (DZUP). Acre, Porto Acre (Reserva Humaitá), 200 m, 8-10-IX-2004, 1♂, O. Mielke & Casagrande leg., DZ 58.120 (DZUP); Senador Guiomard (Reserva Catuaba), 200 m, 2-5-IX-2004, 1♂, O. Mielke & Casagrande leg., DZ 58.121 (DZUP), 15-VII-2004, 1♂, O. & C. Mielke leg., OM 64.772 (OM); Bujari (50 Km NO Bujari), 200 m, 1♂, 20-23-VII-2012, O. & C. Mielke leg., OM 65.744 (OM). Rondônia, Vilhena, 4-XII-1986, 1♂, C. Elias leg., DZ 58.122 (DZUP). Maranhão, Açailândia, 23-VIII-1974, 1♂, O. Mielke leg., DZ 58.123 (DZUP). Mato Grosso, Diamantino (Fazenda São João, Alto Rio Arinos), 300–400 m, 6-V-1978, 1♂, H. & H.D. Ebert leg., DZ 58.126 (DZUP). Minas Gerais, (Parque Estadual do Rio Doce), 200 m, 6-IX-1973, 1♀, H. Ebert leg., ex-coll. H. Ebert, DZ 58.124 (DZUP), 6-IX-1973, 1♂, H. Ebert leg., DZ 58.125 (DZUP). Espírito Santo, Conceição da Barra, VII-1971, 1♀, C. & C.T. Elias leg., DZ 58.127 (DZUP).
Host plants
The immatures feed on Arecaceae Schultz Sch. and Poaceae (R.Br.) Barnh. According to Moss (1949), the immatures in Pará (Brazil) feed on açaí (Euterpe Mart. *), though the species is not identified. Janzen and Hallwachs (2009) observed immatures feeding on Elytrostachys clavigera McClure.
Geographical distribution (Fig. 7)
Nicaragua: Región Autónoma del la Costa Caribe Sur (Anderson 2007); unknown locality (Evans 1955). Costa Rica: Guanacaste (Janzen and Hallwachs 2009). Panama: Chiriquí (Mabille 1889; Godman 1901); Panama (DZUP); unknown locality (Evans 1955). Colombia: unknown locality (Hayward 1947). Venezuela: unknown locality (Cong et al. 2019). Guyana: unknown locality (Evans 1955). Peru: Cuzco (OM); Madre de Díos (DZUP); San Martín (OM; Evans 1955). Brazil: Acre (Moss 1949; DZUP; OM); Amapá (DZUP); Amazonas (OM); Pará (DZUP); Rondônia (DZUP); Maranhão (DZUP; Hewitson 1867); Mato Grosso (OM); Minas Gerais (DZUP); Espírito Santo (DZUP); São Paulo (Francini et al. 2011).
description: Published as part of Suênia-Bastos, Ayane, Mielke, Olaf Hermann Hendrik & Casagrande, Mirna Martins, 2025, Taxonomic revision of Orphe Godman, 1901 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae: Pericharini: Orphina), pp. 131-144 in Zootaxa 5604 (2) on pages 136-139, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5604.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/15035622