Dalcerides ingenita

(Edwards, 1882)

Dalcerides ingenita is a in the Dalceridae described by Henry Edwards in 1882. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where are active from late spring through early autumn. The participates in a mimetic complex with beetles of the Lycus. Larvae feed on specific oak and manzanita species.

Dalcerides ingenita by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.

Dalcerides ingenita by (c) Wendy McCrady, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wendy McCrady. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dalcerides ingenita: //dælˈsɛrɪdiːz ɪnˈdʒɛnɪtə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

participate in a mimetic complex modeled on Lycus loripes and Lycus simulans, likely sharing the orange-and-black coloration of these net-winged beetles. The similar geometrid Eubaphe unicolor occurs in the same mimetic complex in Arizona.

Images

Habitat

Subtropical moist forests, subtropical dry forests, warm temperate moist forests, warm temperate dry forests, and warm temperate thorn steppe.

Distribution

United States: southeastern Arizona north to Flagstaff, southwestern Texas. Mexico.

Seasonality

Arizona: late April to September. Mexico: July to December.

Diet

Larvae feed on Arctostaphylos pungens (pointleaf manzanita), Quercus emoryi (Emory oak), and Quercus oblongifolia (Mexican blue oak).

Behavior

are part of a mimetic complex with Lycus beetles, suggesting Batesian or Müllerian mimicry of the chemically defended beetles.

Similar Taxa

Eubaphe unicolorGeometrid in the same mimetic complex in Arizona, also modeled on Lycus beetles
Lycus loripesNet-winged beetle that serves as a model for the mimetic complex
Lycus simulansNet-winged beetle that serves as a model for the mimetic complex

More Details

Taxonomic note

iNaturalist lists this under Limacodidae, but authoritative sources (GBIF, Catalogue of Life, NCBI) place it in Dalceridae.

Mimicry complex

The involvement of both a dalcerid and a geometrid moth in the same Lycus mimicry complex in Arizona represents an unusual case of cross- convergence.