Neotherina callas (Druce, 1892)

Sullivan, J. Bolling & Chacon, Isidro, 2011, The genus Neotherina Dognin (Geometridae, Ennominae) in Costa Rica, ZooKeys 149, pp. 39-49 : 41

Neotherina callas (Druce, 1892) Figures 2a, 2b35a, 5b, 5d

Remarks.

This moderately common species is found at altitudes between 1100 and 2800 meters throughout Costa Rica. The forewing appears to be truncated at the tip because there are well-developed extensions of vein M3 in both wings; Females are noticeably larger than males. Adults of this and the following species are shown in Fig. 2. The female genitalia were figured by Pitkin (2002) and are shown in Figs 3c, 5a, 5b. There is a well-defined collar on the ductus and a distinctive signum on the bursa. The male genitalia (Figs 3a, 3b, 5d) are typical for the tribe Ourapterygini in having a well-developed furca, but have few other distinguishing characters for tribal classification.

Diagnosis.

This species is unlikely to be confused with any other species in Costa Rica except Neotherina xanthosa because of the characteristic wing shape. The wings are diaphanous and overlaid by a distinct pattern seen only in this species and in Neotherina xanthosa (Fig. 2). It can be separated from the latter by the darker more grayish color and its smaller size, with a male forewing length of 18.95 mm (18-22 mm; n = 64) compared to 22.03 mm in Neotherina xanthosa ; females average 21.64 mm (range 19-24 mm; n = 64) versus 23.15 mm in Neotherina xanthosa . Genitalic differences are given under the Neotherina xanthosa diagnosis.

Distribution and biology.

Nothing is known about the life history of this species. There are over 100 specimens in collections (INBio, USNM, JBS) and it occurs throughout Costa Rica at altitudes between 1100 m and 2800 m along all slopes. At higher altitudes the specimens are larger (see Sullivan and Miller 2008).