Wasp moth

Description:

This moth is from family Arctiidae.These moths have a shape and flight (rapid wing beats so one sees a blurred cone on either side of the body, and a flight path consisting of smooth slowly evolving arcs) that is very much like that of wasps. On the Delhi University campus they are common during March and April, and a few are also seen in autumn.

Notes:

Males of several palaearctic Syntomis/Amata species (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae possess an-droconial hairbrushes in connection with the foreleg coxa. The cuticular structure of these potentially behaviour-related and pheromone dissipating brushes is described. Such male-specific organs and signals play a crucial role in the female choice procedure. The presence of hairbrushes was found in 17 out of 28 inspected species of the tribe Syntomini. All members of the Syntomis phegea group (Europe to Central Asia, as well as Caspian, Caucasian and near Middle East species) have these structures, and only three oriental and south Asian, but none of three African species carry this trait. The common genetic base of this morphological character is supported by an analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA from 19 representative taxa; species with hairbrushes form monophyletic clade and the brushes are synapomorphic character. This genetic finding corroborates the ethological significance of these organs. Phylogenetic data show substantial genetic divergence between the tribe Ctenuchini (New World species) and the Old World Syntomini. Furthermore, DNA sequence data suggest split of the genus Amata (Sensu Obraztsov, 1966) in two distinct genera, Amata (with-out hairbrushes) and Syntomis (with hairbrushes).