ARCTIIDAE Tiger Moths FAUNA PARAGUAY

ARCTIIDAE - TIGER MOTHS
Tiger Moths are charismatic and often brightly-coloured moth species with a worldwide distribution. They are medium-sized to fairly large moths and there are a total of 11,000 or so described species worldwide, as usual at their most diverse in tropical regions. Larvae are extremely hairy and are known colloquially as “woolly bears” in the northern hemisphere - in fact the family name "Arctiidae" is derived from the Greek arctos meaning "bear" in reference to these larvae.

Characteristics
Tiger Moths are characterized by the presence of tymbal organs on the metepisternum, sound producing organs used as a defence against predatory bats. External ocelli may be present or absent. Antennae vary being bipectinate, ciliated or simple. The proboscis is reduced, but may be well-developed in some groups, with minute, one-segmented maxillary palps and usually short labial palpi. An epiphysis is present and the tibial spur formula is 0-2-4 or 0-2-2. Sc vein is generally separate in the forewing. Veins R2-5 are typically stalked, often forming an areole. Sc + R1 is frequently swollen basally and may fuse with the Rs to near the middle of the cell. Typanal organs are present on the metathorax and the tympanic membranes are directed backwards. A forewing-metathorax locking device is sometimes absent. The abdomen bears a prespiracular tympanal hood. A pair of dichotomously-branched glands arise dorsally and anteriorly from between the ovipositor lobes. (Scoble 1995).

Life Cycles
Eggs are usually laid in clusters and only occasionally singly. Individual eggs are erect and usually hemispherical, typically with a reticulated surface. Larvae are characteristically hairy, bearing 3 to 5 conspicuous warts above the coxae on the meso and metathorax. Numerous secondary setae are present on the abdomen, arising from verrucae on the body and prologs, these setae often being barbed. A pair of subventral setae on the meso and metathorax of the larvae is characteristic of the family. Prolegs are present on A3-6 and A10 usually with heteroideous crochets arranged in metaseries. Planta are considerably extended. Larvae feed exposed but occasionally live gregariously in webs. A wide variety of plants are consumed and toxic secondary plant substances such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids and cardenolides are often stored and carried into adulthood. Pupae are stout, often conspicuously-coloured and with a weak or absent cremaster. (Scoble 1995).

Classification
Classification of the Arctiidae is far from stable and has undergone several revisions in recent years. Currently the Arctiidae are classified into three subfamilies, two of which occur in Paraguay. Formerly treated as a subfamily (and even at one stage raised to family level), the Ctenuchinae have now been split into two tribes (Ctenuchini and Euchromiini) within the Arctiinae. Similarly the former subfamily Pericopinae has also been demoted to tribal status (Pericopini) within the Arctiinae. The subfamily Syntominae is restricted to the Old World and is not treated here.
Click the links for access to the image galleries and information about each group.

Superfamily Noctuoidea: Family Arctiidae

Subfamily Arctiinae (Tiger Moths) - Five tribes present in Paraguay. Taxa not yet assigned to a subfamily are included in the "Undertermined" page.

Tribe Arctiini

Tribe Ctenuchini

Tribe Euchromiini

Tribe Pericopini

Tribe Phaegopterini

Tribe Undertermined

Subfamily Lithosiinae (Lichen Moths)

References:
Scoble MJ 1995 - The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity - Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Turner D, Stanêk VJ 1992 - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies and Moths - Select Editions, London.