Mazaeras

Mazaeras is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. The genus was first established by Francis Walker in 1855. Mazaeras moths are part of the subfamily arctiine tussock moths, which are recognized for their diversity and often vibrant coloration.

Taxonomic Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Tribe: Arctiini
Genus: Mazaeras
Species: Mazaeras francki

Taxonomic Significance

Mazaeras is a representative genus of the arctiine moths—a group known for its diversity and for playing ecological roles in .

Notable Species

Several species are classified within the genus Mazaeras. Some of the recognized ones include:

Mazaeras conferta - Found in Espírito Santo, Brazil
Mazaeras francki - Found in Brazil
Mazaeras janeira
Mazaeras macasia
Mazaeras magnifica
Mazaeras mediofasciata - Recorded in Peru
Mazaeras melanopyga
''Mazaeras soteria''

Distribution and Ecology

Species within Mazaeras are found in South America, particularly in Brazil and Peru. Their habitats and ecological roles vary by species, but like many arctiine moths, they are thought to play a part in local food webs as both pollinators and as prey species.

Research and Recent Developments

Ongoing taxonomic work continues to clarify species boundaries and descriptions within Mazaeras, and new species continue to be described as recently as the 21st century.