Speiredonia
Speiredonia is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823.
Description
Palpi with thickened second joint, reaching vertex of head and third joint of moderate length. Antennae of male with minute fascicules of cilia. Thorax quadrately scaled. Abdomen with dorsal ridges of hair. Tibia slightly hairy, and mid-tibia spineless. Forewings with arched costa towards apex. Cilia crenulate. Hindwings with crenulate cilia as well, but with short cell. Vein 5 from lower angle of cell.
Some of the species, such as Speiredonia spectans, S. cthulhui, S. hogenesi, S. martabanica, S. sandokana, S. alix. S. itynx, S. levis and S. celebensis have a pattern on the wings that while the moth is at rest looks like the 3-dimensional face of a lurking animal with eyes and nostrils. This pattern is more clearly discernible in females and may cause an attacking predator to hesitate or perhaps withdraw.
Species
Speiredonia alix Speiredonia celebensis Hogenes & Zilli, 2005Speiredonia cthulhui Zilli & Holloway, 2005Speiredonia cymosema Speiredonia darwiniana Zilli, 2010Speiredonia gowa Holloway & Zilli, 2005Speiredonia hogenesi Zilli, 2002Speiredonia ibanorum Holloway & Zilli, 2005Speiredonia inocellata Sugi, 1996Speiredonia itynx Fabricius, 1787Speiredonia levis Holloway & Zilli, 2005Speiredonia martabanica Holloway & Zilli, 2005Speiredonia mutabilis Fabricius, 1794Speiredonia obscura Speiredonia sandokana Zilli & Holloway, 2005Speiredonia simplex Butler, 1877Speiredonia spectans - granny's cloak mothSpeiredonia strigiformis