Callosiope

Definition

A genus of moths in the superfamily Cossoidea, currently placed in either family Cossidae (carpenter moths) or Ratardidae depending on taxonomic authority. The genus is monotypic or contains few species, with C. banghaasi as the type species, restricted to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.

Etymology

From Greek kallos (beauty) + io (violet, or possibly io, a cry or shout), with the suffix -pe, of uncertain composition; coined by Hering in 1925.

Example

Callosiope banghaasi, described by Hering from material collected in the Malay Peninsula, represents a rare tropical genus whose larval biology remains unknown but is presumed to be wood-boring based on its placement among Cossoidea.

Related Terms

• Cossidae
• Ratardidae
• Cossoidea
• monotypic genus
• Hering 1925

Usage Notes

Family placement is unsettled: GBIF lists Ratardidae, while Wikipedia and some sources list Cossidae. The genus is occasionally misspelled 'Calliope' (the name of a Greek muse and a bird genus), but the double 's' spelling is correct for this moth. Not to be confused with Calliope, the hummingbird genus.