Fernando Hernández-Baz

Scena propylea (Druce) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) an endemic species of Mexico.

A revision of the bibliography, as well as an analysis on the data from the specimen labels of Scena propylea (Druce) (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiina) deposited in different scientific collections, was carried out and included information from 1894 to 2010. Its geographical distribution is restricted to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt which determines this species as endemic. Data are provided on the biogeography, ecology and biology for this species. Its food plant is Thenardia floribunda (Apocynaceae) which is also endemic to Mexico. From this analysis, we propose the inclusion of both species in the document known as the Norma Oficial Mexicana 059 which encompasses the environmental protection of wild flora and fauna species native to Mexico and their risk categories, as well as the specifications for their inclusion, exclusion or change and a list of all species at risk.

Ecology and Conservation of Coreura albicosta Draudt, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina), an Endemic Species of Mexico

Abstract. Specimens of Coreura albicosta (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina) deposited in national collections and reported in literature published from 1916 to 2010 were studied. The gathered information suggested that the species is endemic to Mexico, because it has been found only in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Veracruz in the Eastern Sierra Madre. The species lives in cloud forest ecosystems. Based on our findings, we propose that this Coreura species should be included in the Official Mexican Norm 059 (Norma Oficial Mexicana 059), which encompasses the environmental protection of wild flora and fauna species native to Mexico and their risk categories, as well as specifications for their inclusion or exclusion, and a list of all species at risk.

Geographical Distribution of Apeplopoda mecrida (Druce, 1889) (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini: Euchromiina) with Notes about Its Natural History

ABSTRACT. An analysis of curatorial information of Apeplopoda mecrida (Druce, 1889) (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Arctiini: Euchromiina) from specimens collected between 1889 and 2010 and deposited at several collections is presented. The species is distributed along the heights of 1100 to 2300 m from Arizona (USA) to Punteras (Costa Rica). This makes the species particularly vulnerable to climatic changes. Even though specimens were not found while collecting during the month of March, the species flies throughout the entire year.

Macadamia integrifolia Maiden and Betche (Proteaceae), a New Host Plant Record for Automeris zozine (Druce 1886) from a Cloud Forest at Veracruz State, Mexico

Abstract. Automeris zozine (Druce) is a silk moth in the family Saturniidae whose larvae typically defoliate plants in the Fagaceae, Fabaceae, and Anacardiaceae families, but little is known about other host plants. We documented the species defoliating Macadamia integrifolia Maiden and Betche (Proteaceae) associated with a plantation of coffee (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae) in a mountainous mesophyll forest at Veracruz, Mexico.

Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae) as a New Host Plant Record for an Inchworm1 at Coatepec, Veracruz, México

Abstract. We report the first time a larva of Geometridae that fed on flowers of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in the central mountainous region of the state of Veracruz, Mexico.

Inventory of Wasp Moths of the Tumilco Mangrove, Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Ctenuchina - Euchromiina)

ABSTRACT: An inventory of the wasp-moths Ctenuchina and Euchromiina (Erebidae) was done for the Tumilco Mangrove, Tuxpan, Northern Veracruz, Mexico. Moth collecting was carried out between September, 2006 and June, 2007 with 20 field trips and with an effort of collection of 140 hours of night work and 140 hours of day collections, adding up to 280 hours of effective work in the field. Two types of collection techniques were used: butterfly nets and mercury light traps, the latter being placed during new moon time. Thirteen species were found: three of them in Ctenuchina and ten in Euchromiina. The month with greater richness and abundance was October.

Species Richness of Butterflies (Papilionoidea) at Natura Park, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract. The butterflies at Natura Park in Veracruz, Mexico, were studied during their annual peak in abundance. Butterflies were collected from 21 March through 21 June during spring 2014, for a total of 14 days of collection which were equivalent to 126 hours of fieldwork. Recorded were 775 specimens of 120 species in 81 genera, 15 subfamilies, and five families (573 specimens of 68 species of Nymphalidae, 135/25 of Pieridae, 31/11 of Lycaenidae, 27/nine of Papilionidae, and nine/seven of Riodinidae). The species richness indicated that March was the month with the largest number of species (71), with Nymphalidae the dominant family. In a curve of accumulation of species, the asymptote did not become stable, while Chao 2 estimated the presence of 173 species versus the 120 found, indicating an absence of 50 species still to be reported. Results of the study were compared with the fauna at Xalapa, Veracruz. It was observed that 64 species were exclusive to Natura Park and 56 species were found at both study areas. The Jaccard Index showed 70% similarity in species between both study areas. The species Danaus plexippus plexippus L. and Eumaeus childrenae (G. Gray) seem to be threatened.

Notes on the Behavior and Distribution of the Day-Flying Moth, Heterusia atalantata (Guenée, [1858]) (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), with Special Reference to Mexico.

ABSTRACT. Collecting and observation of the diurnal geometrid, Heterusia atalantata (Guenée, [1858]), in Natura Park, Veracruz by the first coauthor led to an interest in the distribution and behavior of this species in Mexico. Records from the literature and several Mexican collections as well as the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity in Florida have resulted in these notes on the distribution, altitudinal occurrences and behavior of this species.

Geographic Range Expansion of Leucotmemis pardalimacula Dyar, 1927 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctinae: Euchromiina) with Notes About Its Conservation in Mexico

Abstract. Information about the geographical distribution of Leucotmemis pardalimacula is updated after reviewing data gathered from its description in 1927 to 2010. This species is known to live in the mountainous zones of Western Mexico and its distribution spreads south down to the Chinandega volcanic zone in Nicaragua. Based on previously developed methods, the vulnerability of this moth wasp is evaluated herein. The species could be categorized as “threatened” according to the Mexican Conservation Norm NOM-059, allowing us to propose the taxon to be included under the Official Mexican Norm of Protection.

Geographic Distribution and Conservation of Cyanopepla griseldis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina) an Endemic Wasp Moth of Mexico

Abstract Mexico contains a large diversity of Lepidoptera (14,385 spp.), but it is a contradiction that only two species of butterflies are officially protected and moths are not even contemplated for protection. Among the 240 known species of Mexican wasp moths 10 are endemic to the country. Herein we update the knowledge of the geographical distribution of the wasp moth, Cyanopepla griseldis (Druce 1884) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina), which is endemic to the mountains of central Mexico. We also evaluated C. griseldiss current vulnerability, using a method that allowed us to categorize it as “threatened” based on the corresponding equivalent designation in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection (NOM-059). We also propose that the taxon should be included in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection.