Gazera heliconioides subsp. micha H. Druce 1896
Creators: name: Ríos, Sergio D.
name: González, Jorge M.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Castniidae
Gazera
Gazera heliconioides
Gazera heliconioides micha (h. druce, 1896)

description: Gazera heliconioides micha (H. Druce, 1896)
(Fig. 13)
Castnia micha (H. Druce, 1896)
Taxonomic history. Described in the genus Castnia by Druce (1896) but later included in the genus Cabirus by Houlbert (1918). Talbot (1919) mentions that micha “can only be considered as a race and not as a distinct species”.
Distribution. This subspecies is known from Bolivia, Paraguay and South East Brazil (Miller 1986; Lamas 1995; Rothschild 1919). Jörgensen (1930) states that it is common in all the Eastern region of Paraguay. It is, apparently, together with Castnia invaria penelope, the commonest castniid species in Paraguay. Jörgensen (1930) mentions that it flies in forested areas, near bromeliads (Bromelia sp. and Ananas sp.). It is frequently found perching close to the ground at the base of leaves or grasses and the way the moth rests and its wing and body coloration (Fig. 20 b) allows it to “disappear” in the surroundings. The first author observed individuals flying in urban places of Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay. He also observed them flying in Sapucay, Paraguarí Department and in Cerro Corá, Amambay Department. Ulf Drechsel (pers. comm.) collected and observed specimens in Sapucay, Paraguarí Department, and in Areguá, Central Department; while Contreras (2009) collected them in Ñeembucú Department.
Biology and behavior. Like all taxa in the genus, they have a close resemblance to members of Lycorea Doubleday (Nymphalidae: Danainae), Thyridia Hübner and Methona Doubleday (Nymphalidae: Danainae, Ithomiini), and to Notophyson heliconides (Swainson) (Erebidae: Arctiinae, Pericopini) (Miller 1986; Lamas 1973).
Two males were observed by the first author in Paraguarí and Amambay Departments, while flying low and slowly, along paths surrounded with Bromelia balansae Mez, which allowed for easy collection. They also perched close to the ground (Fig. 21). These observations clearly contrast with those made by Contreras (2009) in more disturbed habitats, where specimens were found flying fast, strongly and very high (7–8 m above ground).The host plant is unknown, but we suspect that the larvae feed on Bromelia spp. and/or Ananas spp. Contreras (2009) mentions that Orchidaceae could also be hosts of this species.
Material examined. 13, Castnia micha Druce, 494, Paraguay (SMNH). CORDILLERA: Caacupé, 22.IX.1969 (FCA/ DE); 1Ƥ, Atyrá, X.2002, Coll. C.Aguilar (MNHNPY). GUAIRÁ: 233,1Ƥ, “ Paraguay, Independencia”, A. Breyer Collection (MLP); 13, 1Ƥ, Carlos Pfannl, Paraguay, no date (TPC). CAAGUAZÚ: Coronel Oviedo, 25.X.1972 (FCA/ DE); 13, “ Paraguay, Caa-Guazú”, XII-1948, Coll. F.H. Schade, A. Breyer Collection (MLP);. PARAGUARÍ: 13, Sapucay. 8. X. 2008. Coll. S.Ríos (MNHNPY); 13, Sapucay, Paraguay 8.XI. 1997. Coll. U. Drechsel (MNHNPY); 13, Sapucay, Oct. 24, [1]900 (NHMUM). CENTRAL: San Lorenzo, 23.X.1985 Coll. J.Estigarribia (FCA/ DE). ÑEEMBUCÚ: 13, Distrito Humaitá, Arroyo Franco Cué, 15.XI.2006 (IBIS, 1719) (IBIS-UNP); 13, Distrito Isla Umbú, Arroyo Hondo, paraje Itá Cajón, 13.XII.2006 (IBIS, 2109) (IBIS-UNP). AMAMBAY: 13, Parque Nacional Cerro Corá, 25.X.2009 Coll. S.Ríos (MNHNPY).
description: Published as part of Ríos, Sergio D. & González, Jorge M., 2011, A synopsis of the Castniidae (Lepidoptera) of Paraguay, pp. 43-61 in Zootaxa 3055 on pages 53-54, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3055.1.3, http://zenodo.org/record/278914