BOMBYCIDAE: APATELODINAE - NEW WORLD SILK MOTHS
Formerly considered a family of uncertain affinites, the Apatelodinids are now thought to represent a subfamily of an expanded Bombycidae. It is a small subfamily of approximately 250 small to fairly large moths confined to the New World.

Characteristics
Both sexes possess pectinate antennae. Proboscis reduced or absent and frenulum well-developed, especially in males. Vein M2 is closer to M1 than M3 on both wings. Segment A8 is modified. (Scoble 1995).

Life Cycles
Larvae are hairy. Apatelodes sp. shows dark setae from T2 and T3. Tufts of midorsal setae arise posteriorly on segments A1-A8. Crotchets in biordinal mesoseries. Larvae are external feeders. Pupation occurs in the ground or in silk spun cocoons. (Scoble 1995).

Classification

Superfamily Bombycoidea: Family Bombycidae: Subfamily Apatelodinae

References:
Scoble MJ 1995 - The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity - Oxford University Press, Oxford.

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FIGURE 1 - Apatelodes sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Caccialli April 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database)
FIGURE 2 - Apatelodes sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith March 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database)
FIGURE 3 - Apatelodes sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Caccialli April 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database)
FIGURE 4 - Apatelodes sp. - Hotel Tirol, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith May 2006).
FIGURE 5 - Unidentified sp. pair mating - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 6 - Unidentified sp. - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 7 - Unidentified sp. - Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve, Departamento Canindeyú (Paul Smith October 2008).