{"id":35944,"date":"2024-02-08T12:23:58","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T11:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/6565b533-c41b-4186-8f44-a8d77f93a269"},"modified":"2024-02-08T12:35:40","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T11:35:40","slug":"stunning-new-species-of-moth-with-whip-like-defensive-mechanism-discovered-in-brazil","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/stunning-new-species-of-moth-with-whip-like-defensive-mechanism-discovered-in-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"Stunning new species of moth with whip-like defensive mechanism discovered in Brazil"},"content":{"rendered":"

Resembling the bright markings of the European puss moth, the new species \u2013 Americerura brasiliensis \u2013 was found in south-east Brazil. <\/p>

By Stuart Blackman\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 08 February 2024 at 11:23 AM<\/p>

\n\n

A spectacular new species of moth \u2013 named Americerura brasiliensis<\/em> \u2013 has been discovered in Brazil. Find out what it is, where it lives and the meaning behind its scientific name.<\/p>

What is Americerura brasiliensis<\/em>?\u00a0<\/h2>
Many members of the prominent moth family have remarkable caterpillars, and this new species is no exception. Resembling a boldly marked European puss moth, its hindmost legs have been remodelled as a pair of defensive organs called stemapods, which each extrude a red, whip-like filament to deter predators.<\/p>
The hindmost legs of Americerura brasiliensis have been remodelled as a pair of defensive organs called stemapods. Credit: Ryan St Laurent<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Where is Americerura brasiliensis<\/em> found?\u00a0<\/h2>
It was found in south-east Brasil, where, like the puss moth, it feeds on plants from the willow family. It belongs to a genus of American species whose closest relatives occur in Africa, which suggests its ancestors managed to cross the Atlantic.<\/p>
What’s the meaning behind the scientific name?<\/h2>
The genus Americerura<\/em> combines \u201cAmerica\u201d and \u201cCerura\u201d (the name of its African relatives), to acknowledge both its current distribution and its evolutionary origins. The name brasiliensis<\/em> refers to the known range of this particular species. <\/p>
$\"Americerura$
Americerura brasiliensis in its adult form. Credit: Elton Orlandin<\/figcaption><\/figure>
What is the world\u2019s largest moth?<\/a><\/li>
Why are moths attracted to artificial light?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Find out more about the paper:\u00a0 tandfonline.com<\/a><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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