Redectis
Nye, 1975
litter moths
Redectis is a of litter in the Erebidae, Herminiinae. The genus was established by Nye in 1975 and contains six described distributed from the southern United States through Central America to northern South America. The genus includes two North species with established : the pygmy redectis moth (R. pygmaea) and the -spotted redectis moth (R. vitrea).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Redectis: //rəˈdɛktɪs//
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Identification
Members of Redectis can be distinguished from related Herminiinae by genitalic characters established in the original description by Nye (1975). The two North , R. pygmaea and R. vitrea, differ in size and pattern: R. pygmaea is notably smaller (reflected in its specific epithet), while R. vitrea has distinctive spotting (reflected in its ).
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Habitat
As litter , in this are associated with forest floor where larval food sources—decaying material and detritus—accumulate.
Distribution
The occurs from the eastern and southern United States (New York, Vermont, Texas) through Panama to French Guiana (Cayenne). Distribution records include Vermont and other US states based on occurrence data.
Ecological Role
As litter , likely contribute to decomposition of detritus in forest .
Human Relevance
Two North have received and appear in citizen science observations, with over 2,000 iNaturalist records documenting their presence.
Similar Taxa
- Other Herminiinae generaRedectis was separated from related based on genitalic ; external characteristics alone may not reliably distinguish it from other litter in the same .
More Details
Etymology
The name derivation is not documented in the original description.
Taxonomic history
All six included were originally described in other by Schaus (1916) and Grote (1878) before being transferred to Redectis by Nye in 1975.