Official Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society of Africa
Metamorphosis Volume 22 (2011), Metamorphosis Volume 22, Issue 2: 49 - 64
Publication Date : 2011-06-30
Author/s : Hermann S. Staude, Julian L. Bayliss and Pasi Sihvonen

Title :

The Mulanje Tiger Moth Callioratis grandis Prout, 1922, new status, a critically endangered species from Mala?i (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Diptychinae)

Abstract :

Callioratis grandis Prout, 1922 new status (Geometridae: Diptychinae) is an extremely local species known only from the Likhubula Valley area on Mount Mulanje in Mala?i. The species was formerly treated as a subspecies of C. abraxas Felder, 1874, as the distinct male was unknown before. It is here recognised as a distinct species (new status). C. grandis can be separated from the closely related C. abraxas by the scent disseminating organs, male and female facies, male and female genitalia, LEK behaviour, early stages and DNA barcoding. These data are provided and illustrated for the first time. We consider C. grandis to be Critically Endangered (CE), using IUCN Red List criteria. The larva of C. grandis is monophagous, feeding in the wild exclusively on leaves of the Mulanje Cycad (Encephalartos gratus Prain, 1916 (Zamiaceae), a vulnerable threatened ′living fossil′ plant species that is restricted in its range. The only known colony of C. grandis, with an area of occupation of less than 10 km², is under threat from human population pressure and planned mining operations. The life history of C. grandis is described and illustrated. The known factors limiting the fundamental niche of the species are described.

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