CASTNIIDAE - GIANT BUTTERFLY MOTHS
Approximately 150 species occur in Neotropical, Oriental and Australian regions. Greatest diversity is found in the Neotropical region, where all species belong to the subfamily Castniinae. Recent publications have updated our knowledge of this rarely encountered group.
The Paraguayan representatives of the family reviewed in the following publication. Click the link to download the publication.

Rios S, González JM 2011 - A synopsis of the Castniidae (Lepidoptera) of Paraguay - Zootaxa 3055: p43-61.

And another species was added to the list in this publication:

González JM, Rios SD, Smith P 2013. Confirmation of the presence of Geyeria uruguayana (Burmeister, 1880) in Paraguay, with notes (Lepidoptera: Castniidae). SHILAP 41: p105-111.

Characteristics
These are large, colourful and generally rare, day-flying moths with clubbed antennae - superficially resembling butterflies  though the resting pose resembles Arctiidae. Some species mimetic and flight style may vary according to mimesis, from rapid and direct to slow and flappy. Sensilla present on the antennal clubs. Large external ocelli and chaetosemata absent. Probocis often well-developed, occasionally reduced. Maxillary palpi small, labial palpi upturned. Epiphysis present and tibial spur formula 0-2-4. Sensory brushes occur on the pretarsus before the claws. Wings broad, venation little reduced. Wing coupling via frenulum-retinaculum system. CuP vein present or absent in both wings. Male genitalia with characteristically curved aedagus. Females typically with elongated ovipositor. (Scoble 1995).

Life Cycles
Endophagous larvae bore into stems of food plants, typically monocots such as bananas, bromeliads, palms and sugarcane. Some species are as a result considered economic pests. (Scoble 1995).

Classification

Superfamily Castinioidea: Family Castniidae: Subfamily Castniinae

Thirteen species recorded in Paraguay (9 species with images marked with *). (Rios & Gonzalez 2011, Gonzalez et al 2013)

1. *Imara satrapes catharina (Preiss, 1899)
2. *Synpalamides phalaris, (Fabricius, 1793)
3. *Synpalamides rubrophalaris (Houlbert, 1917)
4. *Castnia invaria penelope, Schaufuss, 1870
5. Castnia juturna, Hopffer, 1856
6. *Telchin licus laura (Drury, 1773)
7. *Ceretes marcelserres (Godart, [1824])
8. Prometheus cochrus (Fabricius, 1787)
9. *Gazera heliconioides micha, (Druce, 1896)
10. Paysandisia archon, (Burmeister, 1879)
11. *Riechia acraeoides, (Guérin-Méneville, [1832])
12. Frostetola gramivora (Schaus, 1896)
13. *Geyeria uruguayana (Burmeister, 1880)


Click on the images to enlarge them.
Thanks to Sergio Rios for the list of Paraguayan Castniids.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page provided by Paul Smith, Karina Atkinson, Para La Tierra, Sergio Rios and Andres Contreras and used with permission.
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Gallery 1 - Mounted specimens
FIGURE 1a - Imara satrapes - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 1b - Gazera heliconioides - IBIS Collection, Universidad de Pilar, Departamento Ñeembucú (Andres Contreras August 2009).
FIGURE 1c - Riechia acraeioides - Asunción, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios August 2009).
FIGURE 1d - Castnia invaria - Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios October 2009).
FIGURE 1e - Synpalamides phalaris form "sora"- Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios October 2009).
FIGURE 1f - Synpalamides rubrophalaris - Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios October 2009).
FIGURE 1g - Telchin licus - Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay, Departamento Central (Sergio Rios October 2009).
FIGURE 1h - Geyeria uruguayana - Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Karina Atkinson October 2010 - Para La Tierra).
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Gallery 2 - Live images
FIGURE 2a - Castnia invaria - Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Sergio Rios October 2011).
FIGURE 2b - Castnia invaria - Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Sergio Rios October 2011).
FIGURE 2c - Gazera heliconioides - PN Cerro Corrá, Departamento Amambay (Sergio Rios August 2009).
FIGURE 2d - Gazera heliconioides - Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith September 2014).
FIGURE 2e - Gazera heliconioides - Same individual ventral (Paul Smith September 2014).
FIGURE 2f - Gazera heliconioides - Same individual lateral (Paul Smith September 2014).
FIGURE 2g - Ceretes marcelserres male - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith April 2013).
FIGURE 2h - Ceretes marcelserres female - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (JP Brouard November 2013).
FIGURE 2i - Synpalamides phalaris form "argus" - Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve, Departamento Canindeyú (Paul Smith September 2014).
FIGURE 2j - Geyeria uruguayana - PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2012).