Spirama

Spirama is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852.

Spirama
Spirama recessa.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Tribe: Hypopyrini
Genus: Spirama
Guenée in Boisduval & Guenée, 1852[1]
Synonyms
  • Spiramia Walker, 1858

Description

Antennae usually minutely fasciculate (bundled) in the male. Tibia not hairy and mid-tibia spined. Palpi with second joint reaching vertex of head and third joint naked. Thorax and abdomen smoothly clothed with hair. Forewings with nearly rectangular apex. Hindwings with vein 5 from lower angle of cell, which is rather short.[2]

Defensive display
Further information: Deimatic behaviour and Deception in animals

Some of the species, such as S. helicina, S. indenta, S. recessa, S. remota and S. sumbana, have a pattern on the wings that looks like the frontal view of the face of a snake with slightly opened mouth. This pattern is more clearly discernible in females. It may intimidate potential predators and dissuade them from attacking.[3]

Spirama indenta female
Spirama helicina female
Spirama retorta female

Species

Former species

References
  1. Yu, Dicky Sick Ki. "Spirama Guenee 1852". Home of Ichneumonoidea. Taxapad. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. Hampson, G. F. (1894). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths Volume II. Taylor and Francis – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. John L. Capinera, Encyclopedia of Entomology, Volume 4, p. 1174


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