Maurício Moraes Zenker, Carla Penz, Michele de Paris, Alexandre Specht
Journal of Insect Science 11 (42), 1-10, (1 April 2011) https://doi.org/10.1673/031.011.0142
KEYWORDS: fruit-piercing moths, Morphometrics, Calpinae, South America
This study describes proboscis morphology and identifies morphometric differences among five species of noctuid moths with different feeding habits (fruit versus nectar-feeding). Morphological and morphometric parameters were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Measurements included: galea height in ten sites from base to tip, total proboscis length, and length of the distal region that contains large sensilla styloconica and / or tearing hooks and erectible barbs. Both morphometric and morphological differences were identified among species within and between feeding guilds, and these results are discussed in light of the feeding habits of each species.