Colla is a genus of moths in the family Bombycidae (silkworm moths). The genus was erected by the English entomologist Francis Walker in 1865.
Taxonomy
The genus Colla belongs to the subfamily Epiinae within the family Bombycidae. The type species is Colla glaucescens, also described by Walker in 1865. The genus has several taxonomic synonyms, including Aza (Walker, 1865), Spanochroa (Felder, 1874), Prismoptera (Butler, 1878), and Agriochlora (Warren, 1901).
Description
Species in this genus are characterized by bilaterally symmetric bodies, multicellular organization, and holometabolous development (complete metamorphosis involving a pupal stage). They possess biting-chewing mouthparts and refracting superposition eyes. For example, Colla rhodope has pectinated (comb-like) antennae, a dark-brown thorax and abdomen, and transparent white wings with rows of greenish crescents along the outer margins, with a wingspan of approximately 64 mm (2.5 inches).
Distribution
Species of Colla are found in the Neotropical realm, with recorded occurrences in Mexico, Central America (Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama), South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, French Guiana, Suriname), and Trinidad and Tobago.
Selected Species
The genus comprises approximately 18 to 25 recognized species, depending on the taxonomic source. Selected species include:
- Colla aerila Schaus, 1929
- Colla albescens Schaus, 1905
- Colla aminula (Druce, 1890)
- Colla amoena Dognin, 1923
- Colla blandatrix (Felder & Felder, 1874)
- Colla coelestis Schaus, 1910
- Colla gaudialis Schaus, 1905
- Colla glaucescens Walker, 1865 (type species)
- Colla jehlei Schade, 1939
- Colla klagesi Warren, 1901
- Colla lilacina Dognin, 1916
- Colla melini Bryk, 1953
- Colla micacea (Walker, 1865)
- Colla netrix (Stoll, 1780)
- Colla opalifera Dognin, 1911
- Colla rhodope (Drury, 1782)
- Colla similis (Felder, 1868)
- Colla traslucida Piñas Rubio, 2008
- Colla umbrata Schaus, 1905
- Colla viridiflava Herbin, 2022
References
- Savela, Markku. "Colla Walker, 1865". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms.
- Kitching, I.; Rougerie, R.; Zwick, A.; et al. (2018). "A global checklist of the Bombycoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera)". Biodiversity Data Journal. 6: e22236. doi:10.3897/BDJ.6.e22236.
- Walker, F. (1865). List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. Vol. 32, p. 580.
