Naarda

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Uncus structure of the Naarda genus

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Naarda xanthonephra profile

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Male Naarda ardeola

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Female Naarda ardeola

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Naarda xanthonephra, circa 1910

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Male Naarda egrettoides

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Female Naarda egrettoides

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Naarda moth of either the xanthopis or leucopis species. (These species are only distinguishable by analysis of the male genitalia.) Note the dark yellow elongated stomata reflected bilaterally on the forewings.

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Male Naarda pocstamasi

Naarda is a large genus of erebid moths which currently encompasses 108 species. Initially identified by Francis Walker in 1866, it is in the family Erebidae. Somewhat ruddy in appearance, this genus is primarily distinguishable for its generally slender thorax and abdomen, and straight, porrect labial palpi. Most species are dark beige, but shading can reach a deep charcoal. Most species possess muddy yellow, reniform, orbicular stigmata featured on the forewings, which is reflected bilaterally superior on some species (though these may be significantly more minute and successively annular).

Physical features

The wingspan is between 19 and 22mm, dependent on the species.

The rami of the antenna are, at the maximum of its width, 9-10 times longer than the axis of the antenna, and the apical segments lack the rami.

Aside from the elongated and easily recognizable porrect labial palpi of both sexes, (which are usually 5 times as long as the diameter of the eye, with the tertiary segment comparatively longer), and the relatively broad forewings with straight and even costa, substantial dissimilarity is present in the male sex.

Male

The most prominent autapomorphy is the uncus structure, which resembles the head of a long-billed bird. The uncus has a large, rounded subbasal dorsal bulb bearing a small, acute frontal spine and a large group of long hairs standing apart, (in the likeness of a forelock), and a long, straight, atypically dilated rounded distal section.

Other recurrent traits of the clasping apparatus across the entirety of the Naarda genus include the substantially broad tegumen; the well-developed and stout transtilla; and the variably broad, generally triangular valvae. The entire structure resembles a flying bird.

The phallus is short, straight, and thick; the vesica is inflated and basally broad. In most species, the ductus ejaculatoris is directed forward in the axis of the phallus. The cornutus is variably large, and its texture resembles that of a sponge cake.

Range

Of the 108 known species, virtually the entirety have been discovered in Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, but a handful are in the northern Australian region.

Countries where Naarda genus has been documented: