Two new species of moths (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae, Chrysauginae) associated with the three-toed sloth (Bradypus spp.) in South America

Abstract

Two species of chrysaugine moths, discovered as a result of an ecological study in Brazil of tree sloths and their ectoparasites, are described as new and named Cryptoses waagei sp. n. and C. mfipictus sp. n. They are differentiated from their single congener C. choloepi Dyar and near relatives Bradypophila garbei Ihering and Bradypodicola hahneii Spuler which are also found on tree sloths.

On the move: sloths and their epibionts as model mobile ecosystems

“…There is appreciable geographic sympatry amongst sloth‐associated moth species and several different species may coexist in the fur of a single sloth (Waage & Best, 1985 ). Various sloth moth species appear to be found on all species of sloths (Bradley, 1982 ; Waage & Best, 1985 ; Pauli et al ., 2014 ). Cryptoses choloepi seems to be the most common moth found on B. variegatus and has been studied almost exclusively in relation to this sloth species (Fig.…”

14. The Pyraloidea

“…The larvae have a variety of habits, including seed, fruit, stem, and root boring, and leaf rolling and tying; some are myrmecophilous. Adults of several genera {Cryptoses, Bradypodicola, Bradypophila) live in fur of sloths (Dyar 1908;Waage & Montgomery 1976;Bradley 1982), and their immature stages develop in sloth dung. Larvae of other species have been found feeding on ant and wasp nests (Hampson 1905;Pastrana 1953) and on spines of caterpillars of Automeris spp.…”

Review and preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the subfamilies of the Pyralidae (sensu stricto) (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea)

“…The larvae exhibit greatly variable habits, including seed, fruit, stem, and root boring, and leaf rolling and tying. The adults of several genera live in the fur of sloths (Dyar, 1908;Waage & Montgomery, 1976;Bradley, 1982), and their immature stages develop in the sloth's dung. Larvae of other species have been found feeding on wasp nests (Pastrana, 1953), and on spines of Automeris Hiibner (Saturniidae) caterpillars (Jordan, 1926).…”