Paectes nana

(Walker, 1865)

Paectes nana is a small in the Euteliidae, originally described by Walker in 1865 and later redescribed as Paectes isabel by Schaus in 1923. The exhibits and two distinct forewing forms, with males measuring 10.9–11.6 mm and females 9.4–9.9 mm in forewing length. It has been introduced to the Galapagos Islands beyond its native Neotropical range.

Paectes nana by (c)
Pogue MG, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Paectes nana by (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Paectes nana: //ˈpæk.tiːz ˈnæ.nə//

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Identification

Distinguished from Paectes asper by the gray forewing with small, faint, dark-gray quadrate spots along the margin; P. asper lacks this character. The form with exaggerated dark markings is readily recognizable. Examination of genitalia may be necessary for definitive identification where pattern overlap occurs.

Images

Appearance

Small with forewing length 10.9–11.6 mm in males, 9.4–9.9 mm in females. sexually dimorphic with two distinct forms: one with exaggerated dark markings on the portion of the postmedial line contiguous with the subapical dash; the other with gray forewing bearing small, faint, dark-gray quadrate spots along the margin.

Distribution

Native to Florida, Greater Antilles (except Puerto Rico), Mexico to Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, and northern Ecuador. Introduced to the Galapagos Islands.

Seasonality

probably on wing year-round; recorded January–March, June–July, September–October, and December.

Diet

Larvae have been reared from Schinus terebinthifolius; also recorded from Bursera simaruba and Bursera tomentosa.

Host Associations

Schinus terebinthifolius - larval confirmed rearing record
Bursera simaruba - larval recorded
Bursera tomentosa - larval recorded

Similar Taxa

Paectes asperSimilar forewing pattern in one form of P. nana, but distinguished by gray with small quadrate spots in P. nana versus different costal coloration in P. asper

Misconceptions

The was redescribed as Paectes isabel by William Schaus in 1923, who believed it to be new; the name honors artist Isabel Cooper.

More Details

Nomenclatural history

Originally described as Edema nana by Walker in 1865; transferred to Paectes. Redescribed as Paectes isabel by Schaus in 1923, now a synonym.

Introduced range

Established in the Galapagos Islands through human-mediated introduction.