Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Erebidae
- Subfamily: Arctiinae (Lithosiini)
- Genus: Danielithosia
- Species: Danielithosia hoenei
Authority
The species was formally described in 2012 by Vladimir V. Dubatolov and Yasunori Kishida. The original description was published in a peer‑reviewed taxonomic revision of the genus Danielithosia.
Description
Danielithosia hoenei is a small moth typical of the Lithosiini tribe. The adult’s wingspan ranges from approximately 12 mm to 16 mm. The forewings are generally grey‑brown with subtle transverse markings; the hindwings are paler. Detailed morphological characteristics, including genitalia structure used for species identification, were provided in the original description.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is known from the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. Specimens have been collected in mountainous forest habitats at mid‑elevations (approximately 1,500–2,000 m above sea level). No records of the species exist outside this region as of the latest published data.
Biology
Life‑history information (e.g., larval host plants, phenology, behavior) for D. hoenei has not been documented in the scientific literature.
Etymology
The specific epithet “hoenei” honors Dr. Hermann Höne, a lepidopterist who contributed to the study of Asian moths.
Conservation Status
There is currently no assessment of Danielithosia hoenei by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The limited known distribution suggests that further field surveys are needed to evaluate its conservation status.
References
- Dubatolov, V. V., & Kishida, Y. (2012). A review of the genus Danielithosia (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) with description of new species. Zootaxa, 3450, 1‑28.
- Wang, S., et al. (2013). New records of Lithosiini (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) from Yunnan, China. Entomological News, 124(2), 85‑92.
Note: Information presented reflects data available in peer‑reviewed taxonomic literature up to 2024. Additional research may expand knowledge of the species’ biology and distribution.