Neidalia ockendeni is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was first described by the entomologist Lionel Walter Rothschild in 1910.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Erebidae
- Subfamily: Arctiinae
- Tribe: Phaegopterini
- Genus: Neidalia
- Species: Neidalia ockendeni
Description
The original description provides limited morphological details, typical of early‑20th‑century taxonomic works. The species is placed within Neidalia, a genus characterized by stout-bodied moths with often brightly patterned wings, but specific coloration, wing span, and distinguishing characters of N. ockendeni are not detailed in readily accessible modern literature.
Distribution
The type locality and precise geographic range have not been extensively documented in contemporary sources. The species is believed to occur in the Neotropical region of South America, with some records suggesting Peru as a possible locality; however, accurate information is not confirmed.
Ecology
No published studies have detailed the larval host plants, adult behavior, or habitat preferences of Neidalia ockendeni. As with many arctiine moths, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light, but these ecological traits remain unverified for this specific species.
Conservation Status
The conservation status of Neidalia ockendeni has not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or other major assessment bodies.
Etymology
The specific epithet “ockendeni” likely honors a collector or naturalist bearing the surname Ockenden, a common practice in early taxonomic nomenclature. No further etymological information is documented.
References
- Rothschild, L. W. (1910). Descriptions of new Arctiidae from South America. Novitates Zoologicae, 17, 125‑130.
- Savela, Markku. “Neidalia.” Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Accessed 2026.
Note: Information on this species is sparse, and many aspects of its biology and distribution remain poorly known.