Cacozelia
Grote, 1878
snout moths
Species Guides
3- Cacozelia basiochrealis(Yellow-based Cacozelia Moth)
- Cacozelia elegans
- Cacozelia pemphusalis
Cacozelia is a of snout moths in the Pyralidae, Epipaschiinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878 based on specimens from Venezuela. The genus contains at least five described distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of the subfamily Epipaschiinae, which includes many tropical pyralid moths with relatively broad wings and distinctive genitalia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cacozelia: /ˌkækoʊˈzɛliə/
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Identification
Identification to requires examination of genitalic structures and wing venation patterns characteristic of Epipaschiinae. The genus is distinguished from related epipaschiine genera by combinations of forewing pattern elements and male genitalia , particularly the structure of the valvae and . -level identification relies on forewing coloration patterns: C. basiochrealis has ochreous basal areas, C. elegans shows more uniform elegant patterning, C. interruptella has interrupted transverse lines, C. neotropica is restricted to the Neotropical region with corresponding pattern elements, and C. pemphusalis (formerly C. alboplagialis) exhibits white plagiate markings.
Images
Distribution
The is documented from Venezuela, the type locality for C. basiochrealis. Additional have been recorded from broader Neotropical regions: C. elegans from Rica, C. neotropica from South America, and C. pemphusalis from Central America. The iNaturalist observation count of 1,148 suggests the genus is encountered with moderate frequency across its range, though specific locality data for many observations is not detailed in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- EpipaschiaBoth belong to Epipaschiinae and share similar forewing shapes and venation patterns. Cacozelia is distinguished by specific genitalic features and forewing pattern elements established in Grote's original description.
- PococeraAnother epipaschiine with overlapping Neotropical distribution. Pococera often show more pronounced wing spotting and different male genitalia structure, particularly in the uncus and gnathos .
More Details
Nomenclatural note
Cacozelia pemphusalis was originally described as Cacozelia alboplagialis by Dyar in 1905; the latter name is now treated as a synonym. The authorship and date of the (Grote, 1878) follows the original description of C. basiochrealis, the type .