Agapema
Neumoegen & Dyar, 1894
Species Guides
3- Agapema anona(greasewood silkmoth)
- Agapema dyari(Chihuahuan Agapema)
- Agapema homogena(Rocky Mountain Agapema)
Agapema is a of giant silk moths in the Saturniidae, closely allied to Saturnia. The genus was established in 1894 by Neumoegen and Dyar. It contains six described distributed in North America. The pupal stage serves as a for .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Agapema: /ˌæɡəˈpiːmə/
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Identification
lack functional mouthparts. Members of this are distinguished from related Saturnia by genitalic and wing pattern characters; specific identification requires examination of these features.
Images
Distribution
North America, with occurring in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Diet
do not feed. Larval plants have been documented for some but remain incompletely known for the as a whole.
Life Cycle
Pupae are subject to by , which has been documented as a significant source of mortality.
Ecological Role
Serves as for , contributing to parasitoid and structure.
Similar Taxa
- SaturniaClosely allied ; Agapema was historically treated as a subgenus of Saturnia and shares many morphological features, requiring genitalic examination for reliable separation.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
Agapema has been treated both as a distinct and as a subgenus of Saturnia (Saturnia (Agapema)). Current sources vary in their treatment; GBIF accepts it as a genus, while Catalogue of Life lists it as a subgenus.
Species Diversity
Six are currently recognized: A. anona, A. dyari, A. galbina, A. homogena, A. platensis, and A. solita.