Ptychotrichos zeus Schaus 1894
Creators: name: Duarte, Marcelo
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Lepidoptera
Erebidae
Ptychotrichos
Ptychotrichos zeus

description: Ptychotrichos zeus Schaus, 1894
(Figs. 1–3, 7–15)
Ptychotricos Schaus, 1894: 228. Lectotype ♂, designated by Hampson (1898). VENEZUELA, Aroa (USNM) [examined], with six labels: "Type No. 10785 U.S.N.M."; " Ptychotrichos zeus. Type. Schs."; "Aroa. Venezuela."; "Collection WmSchaus"; "Kb–Dia–Nr. 1851 B. Kreusel dok."; and "USNMENT 00913969" (USNM) [examined].
Ptychotrichos zeus; Hampson, 1898: 477, fig. 263.
Ptychotrichus [sic] zeus; Zerny, 1912: 135; Draudt, 1915: 164, pl. 24c (not 24e as cited in text).
Diagnosis ♂ and ♀. Head predominantly dark brown, with orange scales anterior to antennae, on scape, and on post-occiput. Anterior surface of prothoracic coxae white in males, and brown and white in females. Forewings much longer than wide, with two hues of brown, plus seven semihyaline areas. Hindwings predominantly brown, proximal region semihyaline. Abdominal tergites brown with blue iridescence. Abdominal sternites predominantly brown, S3–6 also with white scales. Right valva much longer than left valva. Aedeagus with two tubercles near distal end, vesica membranous. Female pheromone glands long and bifurcated. Intersegmental membrane 8 – 9 with a small round sclerotization. Lamella postvaginalis strongly sclerotized, lacking setae or spines, with a deep “V”- shaped medial indentation. Ductus bursae distinctly sclerotized, and bursa copulatrix membranous.
Redescription ♂ and ♀. Head. Proboscis dark brown. Labial palpi dark brown, exceeding vertex in length. Third palpomere more than twice long than wide. Frontoclypeus longer than wide, dark brown, except for two spots immediately anterior to the antennae, with orange scales. Vertex and ocular ring dark brown. Post-occiput brown with two orange spots. Cervical scales also orange. Scales immediately posterior to antennal socket brown. Scape dark brown, except for a few orange scales on anterior margin. Pedicel and flagellomeres entirely brown. Thorax. Mesothoracic tergite predominantly light brown with a medial longitudinal dark brown stripe. Posterior region of mesoscutellum dark brown. Metaescutellum orange. Patagia dark brown with a longitudinal light brown stripe near outer margin. Tegulae predominantly dark brown, with a light brown longitudinal medial stripe; outer margin with long, light brown scales. Epimera and episterna with dark brown scales with blue iridescence. Anterior surface of prothoracic coxae white in males and white and brown in females; outer surface dark brown with blue iridescence. Anterior surface of mesothoracic and metathoracic coxae dark brown with sparse white scales; outer margin as in prothoracic coxae. Femora of all legs predominantly brown, with a round white spot near proximal end. Forefemora sometimes with a longitudinal white stripe on outer distal margin. Tibia of all legs brown with a small white spot near distal end. Tarsi of all pairs of legs dark brown, with the first segment with a small white spot on distal end. Forewings. Entirely scaled. Dorsal surface predominantly covered with dark brown scales. Veins and few areas with light-brown scales. Seven semihyaline areas: two inside discal cell, one in cell CuP–1A, posterior to discal cell, and four post-medial areas, distad of discal cell. Eight submarginal lachrymiform patches, from cell R3- R4 to CuA2-1+2A. Ventral surface entirely covered with dark brown scales, except for the seven semihyaline spots equivalent to the dorsal surface. Females with two frenular bristles. Venation as in figure 5 (also illustrated by Hampson (1898, p. 477, fig. 263)): R1 arising after discal cell. R2 arising closer to R5 than to R2. M2 and M3 varying among individuals, either with a long or a short common stalk. Hindwings. Sexually dimorphic: angle formed by inner and outer margins more or less round in females, and acute in males. Males with concealed hairbrush on dorsal surface of inner margin. Costal margin brown. Discal cell predominantly white in females, and predominantly brown in males. Cells Rs–M2 and M2–M3+CuA1 entirely brown in males, the proximal region white in females. Proximal half of cells CuA2–CuP and 1A–2A white, distal half brown. Inner margin brown. Venation as in Fig. 5 (also illustrated by Hampson (1898, pp. 477, fig. 263)). Sc present, but vestigial (absent in Hampson’s drawing). M3 fused with CuA1. Abdomen. Abdominal tergites brown with blue iridescence. Dorsal surface of T1– 5 with long scales. Lateral margins of T2–3 with very short androconial scales. Anterior margin of T4–6 orange (not always visible in pinned specimens). T8 with a small white dorsal spot. S2 brown. S3–4 brown with white posterior margin. S5–6 predominantly brown, with two white spots on posterior margin. Ventral intersegmental membrane 7–8 of males lacking coremata. T8 of males unmodified. Female T7 and S7 more heavily sclerotized than all other abdominal segments. Male genitalia. Aedeagus much longer than wide, posterior region turned downwards, and with two tubercles near distal end, one ventral and one dorsal. Ejaculatory duct inserted dorsally. Caecum long, straight. Vesica short, lacking cornuti. Saccus undeveloped, approximately straight. Tegumen glabrous, posterior margin heavily sclerotized. Anterior margin with a shallow and round, but relatively wide, indentation. Uncus flattened dorsal-ventrally, bilobed, with left lobe slightly longer than right lobe. Base of uncus glabrous, lobe densely covered with long, dorsal setae. Transtilla sclerotized. Juxta slightly sclerotized, glabrous. Right valva considerably longer than left valva, both turned dorsally. Right valva exceeding uncus in length, left valva not reaching uncus in length. Insertion of valvae asymmetrical, turned to the right. Ventral surface of both valvae densely covered by long, thick setae. Outer surface glabrous. Both valvae with distal area heavily sclerotized and with a brush of scales on inner surface. Right valvae with a few spines on ventral-distal margin. Female genitalia. T9 uniformly sclerotized. Papilla anales with short setae, more densely concentrated on dorsal surface. Pseudopapillae anales conspicuous, finger-like. Anterior and posterior apophyses subequal in length. Pheromone glands developed, bifurcated. Lamella antevaginalis membranous. Intersegmental membrane 8–9 with a small round sclerotization. Lamella postvaginalis strongly sclerotized, lacking setae or spines, with a deep “V”- shaped medial indentation. Ductus bursae heavily sclerotized, cylindrical, centralized. Corpus bursae approximately round, membranous, lacking signa. Ductus seminalis arising from ductus bursae.
Biology. According to label data, specimens of Ptychotrichos zeus have been caught using baits of Heliotropium spp. (Boraginaceae), at black and mercury vapor lights, and in light traps. Unlike many species of Ctenuchina, in which only the males seem to be attracted to pyrrolizidine alkaloids, the females of P. zeus are also attracted to these substances.
During an expedition to Estação Ecológica de Maracá, state of Roraima, Brazil, from 18th to 24th of May, 2015, the senior author observed P. zeus flying in grassland (lavrado) during late morning. The specimen escaped before it could be photographed or collected. Considering the speed of its flight and vigor of activities, it seems unlikely that the moth was flying at that time of the day merely by chance.
Material examined (56 ♂ and 18 ♀). BOLIVIA: Buenavista, East Bolivia, 750m, August 06–April 07, Steinbach, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 3 males and 2 females (BMNH); BRAZIL: Maranhão, Açailândia, 19– 27.xi. 1990, 150m, 4°56'49"S 47°30'17"W, V. O. Becker & G. S. Dubois, n° 76657, 1 female (USNM); Mato Grosso, SNOP [Sinop?] km 500, Est. Cuiabá-Santarém, Roppa leg., x–xi.1975, 1 female (MNRJ); Pará, no specific locality, A. M. Moss (BMNH), 3 males; [Altamira], Cachimbo, 400m, 14–21.ix.1955, 8°56'56"S 54°54'05"W, L. Travassos & S. Oliveira, 1 male (DZUP); idem, x.1956, Travassos, Oliveira & Adão, 1 male (MZSP); Santarém, Taperinha, iii.1939, 2 °26'22"S 54°41'55"W, Hagmann, n° 50796, 1 male (MZSP); idem, n° 50707, LRP175, 1 male (MZSP); idem, 19–29.ii.1968, Hagmann, 1 male (MZSP); idem, ix.1940, Hagmann, 1 male (BMNH); idem, x.1940, Hagmann, 1 male (BMNH); Rondônia, 62km S Ariquemes, Fazenda Rancho Grande, 10°53'S 62°50'W, 165m, 19–29.ix.1996, B. Harris, MV light, 1 male (LACM); idem, 27.viii. 8.ix.1994, Ron Leuschner, 1 male and 1 female (LACM); Vilhena, 2–4.xii. 1994, 600m, 12°44'02"S 60°08'22"W, V. O. Becker, n° 94411, 1 male (VOB). COSTA RICA: Guanacaste, Z.P. Nosara, Sector el Mirador, 780m, 4– 10.x.2002, H. Mendez, Trampa de Luz, 9°58'N 85°38'W, #71748, INB 0003544872, 1 female (INBIO); San José, Estación Bijagual, 500m, Reserva Biologica Carara, xi.1989, R. Zuñiga, 9°44'N 84°35'W, CRI 000116081, 1 female (INBIO); idem, xii.1989, R. Zuñiga, INBIOCRI000055051, 1 male (INBIO); Puntarenas, 1.8mi W Rincon, Osa Peninsula, 30.i.1971, 8°42'27"N 83°29'25"W, J. P. Donahue & C. L. Hogue, 1 male (LACM); Rancho Quemado, Peninsula de Osa, A. C. Osa, 200 m, 8°38'51"N 83°10'43"W, 4–28.vi.1994, A. Marin, #3013, CRI 001885778, 1 female (INBIO); Osa, Ciudad Pto Cortés, Cuesta del Burro, 680m, 6.vi.2005, 8°59'11"N 83°31'52"W, J.Montero, B. Gamboa, J.Gutiérrez, M.Moraga, J.Azofeifa, Y.Cárdenas, J. Mata, Tp. Luz, #83476, INB 0003946796, 1 male (INBIO); Golfito, Jiménez. Est. El Tigre, Area Administrativa. 47m. 8°38'28"N 83° 9'27"W, 8–9.xi.2007, J. A. Azofeifa. Tp. Luz, #92860, INB 0004127486, 1 male (INBIO); Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, 80 m, Quepos, 9°26'23"N 84°10'18"W, v.1991, G. Varela, INBIOCRI001374780, 1 male (INBIO); idem, viii.1991. G. Varela, INBIOCRI001317714, 1 male (INBIO); idem, vi.1991, G. Varela, INBIOCRI001300693, 1 male (INBIO); idem, C. Ramirez, Feb 1991, INBIOCRI000279261, 1 male (INBIO); idem, v.1991, G. Varela, INBIOCRI001374808, 1 male (INBIO); Est. Agujas, Rio Agujas, 300m, 13–18.ix.1996, A. Azofeifa, #8485, INBIOCRI002457955, 1 male (INBIO); FRENCH GUIANA: Joicey Bequest, 1 male (BMNH); PANAMA: Canal Zone, Barro Colorado Isl., 25.vii.1978, Silberglied & Aiello, at light, LRP393, 1 male (USNM); Veraguas, Azuero, Chepo, 23km W Las Minas, 500m, 7°47'N 80°45'W, 20.vii.1993, C. Snyder, UV, 1 male (AMNH). PERU: Cusco, Las Malvinas, Río Urubamba, 11°52'S 72°56'W, 360m, 21.ix.1997, J. Grados, Light trap MV, 1 female (MUSM); Junín, Rio Tambo, 360m, 24–31.x.2008, Izerskyy V. V., 1 male (MUSM); Coriviali, 11°19'S 74°47'W, 600m, 15–20.viii.2008, Izersky V. V., 1 male (MUSM); Madre de Dios, Rio de los amigos, CICRA, 12°35'S 70°5'W, 19.v.2005, P. Centeno, 1 male (MUSM); Tambopata Research Center, 13°8'S 69°36'W, 300m, 13.v.2001, J. Grados, 1 male (MUSM); idem, Reserva de Tambopata Explorer's Inn, 12°50'S 69°17'W, 250m, 18.xi.1997, J. Grados, 1 male (MUSM). VENEZUELA: Aroa, 1 male (CMNH); idem, 1 female (USNM); idem, 1 male and 1 female (BMNH); Las Quiguas, Esteban Valley, 1 male and 1 female (CMNH); Caura Valley, 1 male (CMNH); idem, Dognin collection, 1 male (USNM); idem, v–vi.1904, Klages, 2 males (BMNH); idem, Vicinity of Las Vueltas and Corosito, 1 male (CMNH); idem, Corosita [sic], T. M. Klages, Joicey bequest, 2 males (BMNH); La Unión, Caura River, 27.ix–15.x.1901, Klages, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 2 males (BMNH); idem, v.1902, S. Klages, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 1 male (BMNH); idem, vi.1902, S. Klages, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 1 male (BMNH); idem, vii.1902, S. Klages, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 1 male (BMNH); idem, iii.1902, S. Klages, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 1 male (BMNH); Las Cruces Colon., 250–750ft., 2–3.i.1930, Philip B. Roberts, 1 male (BMNH); idem, 27.xii.1929, Philip B. Roberts, 2 males (BMNH); Aragua, Cachira, Maracay, 10°25’N 67°60’W, 4.iii.1971, attracted to Heliotropium indicum, 1 male (LACM); Carabobo, Valle du rio Borburata, 670m, 14.ii.1942, Lichy, capture a la lumiere electrique, coll. Lichy, 1 male (MNHN); Lara, 4km NW of La Pastora, 2– 3.iii.1978, riparian forest, black light, J. B. Heppner, LRP394, 1 female (USNM); Mérida, Briceno, Rothschild bequest 1939-1, 1 female (BMNH); Miranda, Parque Nacional Guatopo, 10.07°N 66.45°W, 600–1200m, 26.vii.1970, attracted to Heliotropium indicum, 1 female (LACM); Táchira, 5km N San Juan de Colon, 25.ii.1978, black light, montane forest, J. B. Heppner, 1 female (USNM); Zúlia, Guasare coal camp, 45km W Carrasquero, Sierra Perija, 19–25.viii.1981, 80– 140m, J. Heppner, 1 male and 1 female (USNM).
Distribution. As it is currently understood, Ptychotrichos zeus is widely distributed at low elevations from the humid forests of Costa Rica to the Amazonian forest in northern South America (fig. 29).
Three things are noteworthy in this distribution. The first is the unexpected occurrence of P. zeus both in Central America and northern South America, east of the Andes. However, in the absence of any morphological evidence supporting the existence of two species, and due to the lack of fresh specimens available to be barcoded, it seems more reasonable to hypothesize that the species has a wider distribution rather than the existence of two taxa merely on the basis of an unusual geographical distribution. The second and third points worthy of discussion are the large gap in Amazonian localities, and the existence of specimens both in the Guianas shield and in lowlands (both in northeastern and southwestern localities in the Amazons). While the gap could well be due to poor sampling, the fact that P. zeus does not seem to be particularly difficult to catch, and that at least part of the gap area has been surveyed in the past (Iquitos in north Peru and the vicinity of Manaus and Tefé in Amazonas state, Brazil) cast doubt on the robustness of this explanation. However, we could find no biogeographical explanation for this unusual distribution. The wide distribution throughout the Amazonian biome, on its turn, is also a bit unexpected, as there are many taxa in Arctiini which seem to be restricted either to northeastern Amazons, the Guiana shield, or southwestern Amazons (pers. obs., and Michel Laguerre, pers. comm.). But again, in the absence of any kind of evidence for the existence of more than one taxon, it seems best to keep treating P. zeus as a single species for the moment. In fact, the impressive flight power of the species, when compared to any other Ctenuchina ever observed by the senior author, could be the explanation for such a wide distribution.
Some of the localities belonging to the examined material could not be plotted on the map due to insufficient data. These are “Las Cruces” and “ La Unión ”, names for which there are several toponyms in Venezuela. Specimens with imprecise, but still recognizable, locality data were plotted on the map, but it should be noted that they may not correspond to the exact location in which the specimen was caught. These are the cases of “ Mérida ” and “ Caura Valley ” in Venezuela, and “ French Guiana.”
Remarks. We did not observe any difference in the external morphology of the specimens examined. We also explored differences in male genitalia comparing male specimens from Panama, French Guiana, and Pará, Brazil, but no differences were observed.
description: Published as part of Duarte, Marcelo, 2017, Revision of the Neotropical moth genus Ptychotrichos Schaus (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini, Ctenuchina), pp. 246-258 in Zootaxa 4312 (2) on pages 248-252, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4312.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/852798