Work

Taxonomic Revision of Vampire Moths of the Genus Calyptra (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Calpinae) in Chinese Fauna

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Calyptra Ochsenheimer, 1816 is an important genus of fruit piercers and blood feeders with 18 described species worldwide. Both sexes of all Calyptra species pierce fruit. Adults feed upon and damage soft-skinned (e.g., Rubus and Vitis) and thicker-skinned fruits (e.g., Ficus and Citrus) in subtropical and tropical Asia. These moths are rare examples of a lepidopteran lineage that uses its fruit-piercing mouthparts to pierce the skin of vertebrate animals occasionally. In China, 10 species of this genus have been reported. Here, we identified seven species of the genus Calyptra Ochsenheimer, 1816 from Chinese fauna, including C. gruesa, C. thalictri, C. hokkaida, C. albivirgata, C. orthograpta, C. fletcheri, and C. lata. Detailed illustrations of male and female external morphology and genital structures are provided. A comprehensive worldwide checklist of the genus Calyptra is also included. This study highlights significant taxonomic revisions and morphological features for this genus within Chinese fauna.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects16050534

Authors: Asad Bashir, Yuqi Cui, Yanling Dong, Zhaofu Yang

Institution: Northwest A&F University

Language: English

Topic: Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137