Euclea gajentaani


Euclea gajentaani is a moth in the family Limacodidae. The species was first described by entomologists Marc Epstein and Jorge Corrales in 2004. The species was named for Henricus Gajentaan, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Costa Rica.

Range

Euclea gajentaani has only been observed in Costa Rica between 700 and 1200m on the Caribbean slope.

Life cycle

Larva

This is a colorful yellow-green caterpillar with five oval spots on its back, with patches of spines typical of Euclea caterpillars.

Adult

Euclea gajentaani is a red-brown moth with a forewing length of 10.5–12.0mm in males and 16.0mm in females. Adults of Euclea gajentaani cannot be separated from Euclea diversa without dissection and analysis of genitalia, though the two species seem to be allopatric.

Host plants

This species has been found feeding on a variety of plants including Ocotea insularis, Andira inermis, Machaerium acuminatum, Inga oerstediana, and ''Quassia amara.''