Marasmianympha
Encyclopedia
Marasmianympha is a genus
of moth
s of the grass moth family
(Crambidae). It contains a single species
, M. eupselias. Among the grass moths, it belongs to subfamily Spilomelinae
. It is endemic to the Marquesas Islands
of Polynesia
, where it has been recorded on Fatu Hiva
, Hiva Oa
and Tahuata
, but is suspected to occur on other islands as well. The holotype
specimen is in the BMNH.
When first described, this moth was assigned to the genus Aulacodes
in subfamily Acentropinae (then known as Nymphulinae). But eventually it was determined that despite a superficial similarity, M. eupselias is not a member of the Acentropinae, and hence by grass moth standards not at all closely related to Aulacodes.
e. It resembles Aulacodes
in having labial palps which do not project straightly and have a very much reduced third segment. In the hindwings, the third and fourth veins do not originate at the same point, and the sixth vein approaches the common stalk from which veins 7 and 8 originate.
The genitals can be used to reliably identify this species. In the male, the clasper's harpe is simple, with a slightly widened cucullus, and covered in long thin bristles. The uncus consists of two fingered processes which bear short thick bristles; the vinculum is triangular. The tegumen is almost square, and at the hind end of the upper side bears two groups of long, thick bristles; the anellus is small, flat, but notably sclerotized. The aedeagus
is almost straight, robust, but not very long; the vesica
bears two strong horns.
In the female, the ostium
is V-shaped. The ductus seminalis insert from sideways and above, near the expanded forward end of the ductus bursae. The latter is sclerotized and on the underside has two conspicuous fingered processes. The bursa copulatrix has a finegrained wall, and the signum
is a small sclerotized cone.
Even though this moth was described almost a century ago and does not seem to be uncommon at least in the uplands of southern Fatu Hiva (where it has been collected numerous times), the ecology
of this species is almost completely unknown. It is suspected to inhabit the more or less dense native woodland, and may have been driven to the uplands by deforestation
for agriculture; the modern records of this species are generally from 600 m (c.2000 ft) ASL
to the mountain peaks. Plants that occur in its habitat
are for example Bidens henryi, Cheirodendron bastardianum, Pandanus
, and East Polynesian Blueberry (Vaccinium cereum), as well as numerous other shrub
s, fern
s, moss
es and lichen
s.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of moth
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
s of the grass moth family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(Crambidae). It contains a single species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, M. eupselias. Among the grass moths, it belongs to subfamily Spilomelinae
Spilomelinae
Spilomelinae is a very large subfamily of the lepidopteran family Crambidae, the crambid snout moths. They were formerly included in the Pyraustinae as tribe Spilomelini; furthermore taxonomists' opinions differ as to the correct placement of the Crambidae, some authorities treating them as a...
. It is endemic to the Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
of Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
, where it has been recorded on Fatu Hiva
Fatu Hiva
Fatu Hiva is the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean...
, Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island of the Southern Marquesas group. According to local religion, the gods created the islands as their home. Therefore all islands have...
and Tahuata
Tahuata
Tahuata is the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is located 4 km to the south of the western end of Hiva Oa, across the Canal du Bordelais, called Ha‘ava in Marquesan.-Administration:Administratively,...
, but is suspected to occur on other islands as well. The holotype
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
specimen is in the BMNH.
When first described, this moth was assigned to the genus Aulacodes
Aulacodes
Aulacodes is a genus of moths of the Crambidae family.-Species:*Aulacodes adiantealis *Aulacodes adjutrealis Schaus, 1924*Aulacodes aechmialis Guenée, 1854*Aulacodes briocusalis...
in subfamily Acentropinae (then known as Nymphulinae). But eventually it was determined that despite a superficial similarity, M. eupselias is not a member of the Acentropinae, and hence by grass moth standards not at all closely related to Aulacodes.
Description and ecology
M. eupselias is a smallish moth with fairly short antennaAntenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
e. It resembles Aulacodes
Aulacodes
Aulacodes is a genus of moths of the Crambidae family.-Species:*Aulacodes adiantealis *Aulacodes adjutrealis Schaus, 1924*Aulacodes aechmialis Guenée, 1854*Aulacodes briocusalis...
in having labial palps which do not project straightly and have a very much reduced third segment. In the hindwings, the third and fourth veins do not originate at the same point, and the sixth vein approaches the common stalk from which veins 7 and 8 originate.
The genitals can be used to reliably identify this species. In the male, the clasper's harpe is simple, with a slightly widened cucullus, and covered in long thin bristles. The uncus consists of two fingered processes which bear short thick bristles; the vinculum is triangular. The tegumen is almost square, and at the hind end of the upper side bears two groups of long, thick bristles; the anellus is small, flat, but notably sclerotized. The aedeagus
Aedeagus
An aedeagus is a reproductive organ of male insects through which they secrete sperm from the testes during copulation with a female insect...
is almost straight, robust, but not very long; the vesica
Vesica
Vesica is Latin for "bladder", and may refer too:Anatomy* Vesica, mainly used for the urinary bladder, also used for the gall bladder and in entomology for a part of the male genitals....
bears two strong horns.
In the female, the ostium
Ostium
Ostium may refer to:Anatomy*Ostium of Fallopian tube*Ostium primum or foramen ovale of the developing heart*Ostium maxillare of the maxillary sinus*Ostium of female lepidoptera genitalia...
is V-shaped. The ductus seminalis insert from sideways and above, near the expanded forward end of the ductus bursae. The latter is sclerotized and on the underside has two conspicuous fingered processes. The bursa copulatrix has a finegrained wall, and the signum
Signum
Signum is Latin for "sign" and may refer to:* Signum function or sign function in mathematics* Signum, a part of the female Lepidoptera genitalia* Signum , a 1995 by German industrial music artist P·A·L* Signum Framework...
is a small sclerotized cone.
Even though this moth was described almost a century ago and does not seem to be uncommon at least in the uplands of southern Fatu Hiva (where it has been collected numerous times), the ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
of this species is almost completely unknown. It is suspected to inhabit the more or less dense native woodland, and may have been driven to the uplands by deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
for agriculture; the modern records of this species are generally from 600 m (c.2000 ft) ASL
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
to the mountain peaks. Plants that occur in its habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
are for example Bidens henryi, Cheirodendron bastardianum, Pandanus
Pandanus
Pandanus is a genus of monocots with about 600 known species. They are numerous palmlike dioecious trees and shrubs native of the Old World tropics and subtropics. They are classified in the order Pandanales, family Pandanaceae.-Overview:...
, and East Polynesian Blueberry (Vaccinium cereum), as well as numerous other shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s, fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
s, moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
es and lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s.