Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Depressariidae
- Genus: Antaeotricha
- Species: Antaeotricha pellocoma
- Authority: (Meyrick, 1915)
Description
Antaeotricha pellocoma is a species of moth in the family Depressariidae. The original description by Edward Meyrick (1915) characterizes the species by its wing pattern and coloration typical of the genus, although detailed morphological measurements (e.g., wingspan) are not widely reported in accessible secondary sources. As with other members of Antaeotricha, the forewings are generally pale with distinct darker markings, and the hindwings are comparatively less patterned.
Distribution and Habitat
Records indicate that A. pellocoma occurs in parts of South America, specifically in Brazil (state of Pará) and French Guiana. The species inhabits tropical forest environments, where its larvae are presumed to feed on the foliage of host plants, a common habit among Depressariidae, though specific host plant associations for this species have not been documented in the literature.
Biology
Information on the life cycle, behavior, and ecology of A. pellocoma is limited. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light, a trait typical of many moths in the family. Larval biology and host‑plant relationships remain unrecorded in primary entomological references.
References
- Meyrick, E. (1915). Exotic Microlepidoptera, 1(12): 382. Original species description.
- Savela, Markku. “Antaeotricha pellocoma (Meyrick, 1915).” Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Accessed 2024. https://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/depressariidae/anteatricha/#pellocoma
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Occurrence data for Antaeotricha pellocoma. https://www.gbif.org/species/
Note
The available published information on Antaeotricha pellocoma is sparse, and many aspects of its morphology, ecology, and distribution are derived from limited specimen records and the original taxonomic description. Further field studies would be required to expand the knowledge base for this species.
