Gynandromorphism in Periga circumstans Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Ginandromorfismo em Periga circumstans Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Gynandromorphism in Periga circumstans Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Ginandromorfismo em Periga circumstans Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Roberto H.P. Moraes

Lab. Parasitologia/Entomologia, Instituto Butantan. Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP

ABSTRACT

This note reports the occurrence of gynandromorphism in Periga circumstans Walker in Brazil. The specimen was collected in Igaratá, state of São Paulo. General aspects and photograph of the insect are presented.

Key words: Anomaly, moth, wing, antenna, genitalia, caterpillar

RESUMO

Esta comunicação relata a ocorrência de ginandromorfismo em Periga circumstans Walker. O espécime foi coletado em Igaratá, SP. São apresentados aspectos gerais e fotografias do inseto.

Palavras-chave: Anomalia, mariposa, asa, antena, genitália, lagarta

Saturniidae caterpillars of the Lonomia and Periga genera are often found cohabitating. These genera are gregarious and live in clusters of hundreds of specimens, in tree trunks of edible fruits such as loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) and avocadoes (Persea americana) (Moraes 2003). In 1989, Lonomia obliqua Walker gained importance because humans developed hemorrhage when in contact with its strains (Wen & Duarte 2003). In contrast, no hemorrhagic accidents have been reported as caused by the Periga species. Nonetheless, P. circumstans, a coffee plantation pest (Gallo et al. 2002), causes burnings in plantation workers, during harvest by stripping the coffee tree branches.

This scientific note reports the occurrence of gynandromorphism in P. circumstans, and contributes to the knowledge of this still insufficiently known species.

During collection, P. circumstans Walker caterpillars were sometimes found nearby colonies of L. obliqua. Citations about P. circumstans Walker are rare, particularly those concerning its biology (Travassos1973, Motta 2002), and reports on its morphologic anomalies, such as gynandromorphism, have not been found.

In July 1995, a P. circumstans gynandromorphous adult was collected in a luminous trap, at the Muranos farm in Igaratá, SP (23°11'15,0'' S,046º05'24,3'' W). The specimen was photographed, killed, and stored (# IBSP919) in the Coleção Entomológica do Instituto Butantan. In dorsal position, the specimen body is divided symmetrically in length, presenting male external features on the right and female ones on the left (Fig. 1). Sexual dimorphism occurs in the antennae (Fig. 2) and wings (shape, size, and color). The genitalia was removed and clarified, showing general male characteristics with uncus and valva deformities (Fig. 3).

Aknowledgment

I thank Dr. Evoneo Berti Filho, Professor at the Escola Superior de Agronomia Luiz de Queiroz, for reviewing the manuscript and for the constant support.

Literature Cited

Received 26/XI/04. Accepted 13/I/05.

• Gallo, D., O. Nakano, S.S. Neto, R.P.L. Carvalho, G.C. Baptista, E. Berti Filho, J.R.P. Parra, R.A. Zucchi, S.B. Alves, J.D. Vendramim, L.C. Marchini, J.R.S. Lopes & C. Omoto. 2002. (eds.) Entomologia agrícola, p. 443. Piracicaba, FEALQ, 920p.
• Moraes, R.H.P. 2003. Lepidópteros de importância médica, p.211-219. In J.L.C. Cardoso, F.O.S. França, F.H. Wen, C.M.S. Málaque & V. Haddad Jr. , Animais peçonhentos no Brasil. Biologia, clínica e terapêutica dos acidentes. São Paulo, Sarvier, 468p.
• Motta, C.S. 2000. Ginandromorfo de Arsenura armida (Cramer) de Querari, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brasil. (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae, Arsenurinae). Rev. Bras. Zool. 17: 555-556.
• Travassos F.L.P. 1973. Sobre um ginandromorfo de Citheronia laocoon Cr., 1777 (Lepidoptera, Adelocephalidae). Studia Entomol. 16: 555-556.
• Wen, F.H & Duarte, A. C. 2003. Acidentes por Lonomia, p.224-232. In J.L.C. Cardoso, F.O.S. França, F.H. Wen, C.M.S. Málaque & V. Haddad Jr. , Animais peçonhentos no Brasil. Biologia, clínica e terapêutica dos acidentes. São Paulo, Sarvier, 468p.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  26 Sept 2005
• Date of issue
  Aug 2005

History

• Accepted
  13 Jan 2005
• Received
  26 Nov 2004