Report on the rediscovery of Thacona ferreopicta (Hampson, 1900) (Lepidoptera, Scranciidae) with the first description of female genitalia from India

Abstract

Scranciidae Miller, 1991comprises of three genera from India including Phycidopsis Hampson, 1893, Gargetta Walker, 1865 and Thacona Walker, 1865. Out of the three species, Thacona ingens (Walker, 1866), T. punctifascia (Hampson, 1897) and T. ferreopicta (Hampson, 1900), only T. ferreopicta is known from south India. Though reported previously, very little is known about its distribution status. The present study puts forth the report of the moth, T. ferreopicta from India, from Alakkad, Kannur District, Kerala for the first time. The description of female genitalia with image is provided for the first time. The first live habitus photograph of the species along with details of the specimens of T. ferreopicta in the holdings of the Natural History Museum, London (NHMUK) has been incorporated. In addition to the type specimen from Sri Lanka, there are specimens from Meghalaya and south India in NHMUK. However, the present understanding of the distribution of T. ferreopicta is from these museum specimens alone. This study provides information based on the female specimen and its genitalia collected from Kerala. The male genitalia of the species remain unknown and requires further investigation. This study highlights the significance of extensive field surveys needed throughout the region for a better understanding of the diversity and distribution of moths. In addition, this paper provides a brief account of Scranciidae Miller, 1991 along with the checklist of the Scranciid moths from India.