Bradypodicola

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Bradypodicola hahneli
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Bradypodicola

Spuler, 1906
Species:
B. hahneli
Binomial name
Bradypodicola hahneli
Spuler, 1906
Synonyms
  • Bradipodicola hahneli

Bradypodicola hahneli is a sloth moth in the family Pyralidae that lives exclusively in the fur of the pale-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus), a three-toed sloth found in South America. [1] It is the only species of the genus Bradypodicola. [2]

While the other sloth moth, Cryptoses choloepi , has a continuously convex front of its head, Bradypodicola hahneli has a concave shape of the front of its head. [3]

The three-toed sloth's fur forms a micro-ecozone inhabited by green algae and hundreds of insects. The fur provides a home and protection for the moth which feeds on the algae. It also deposits its eggs in the droppings of the sloth, where they pupate and hatch, the newly hatched moths flying off to look for another sloth to live on. [4]

See also

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Two-toed sloth Genus of sloth

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Three-toed sloth Genus of mammals

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Sloth moth Species of moth

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Cryptoses choloepi is a sloth moth in the snout moth family that as an adult lives exclusively in the fur of sloths, mammals found in South and Central America.

Arthropods associated with sloths

A large number of arthropods are associated with sloths. These include biting and blood-sucking flies such as mosquitoes and sandflies, triatomine bugs, lice, ticks and mites. The sloth’s fur forms a micro-ecozone inhabited by green algae and hundreds of insects. Sloths have a highly specific community of commensal beetles, mites and moths.

Phoresis

Phoresis or phoresy is a non-permanent, commensalistic interaction in which one organism attaches itself to another solely for the purpose of travel. Phoresis has been observed directly in ticks and mites since the 18th century, and indirectly in fossils 320 million years old, but is not restricted to arthropods or animals. Plants with seeds that disperse by attaching themselves to animals are also considered to be phoretic.

Chrysauginae Subfamily of moths

The Chrysauginae are a subfamily of snout moths. They are primarily Neotropical and include about 400 described species.

Cryptoses rufipictus is a species of snout moth in the genus Cryptoses. It was described by John David Bradley in 1982 and is known from French Guiana and Brazil.

Cryptoses waagei is a species of snout moth in the genus Cryptoses. It was described by John David Bradley in 1982 and is found in Brazil.

The following are the regional Lepidoptera lists by continent. Lepidoptera is the insect order consisting of both the butterflies and moths.

References

  1. Sherman, Lee (Spring 2008). "Expedition to the Edge: An OSU scientist braves an uncharted rainforest in a search for rare and endangered species". Terra. Oregon State University. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  2. "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  3. "Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington". 1913.
  4. Kissel, Joe (4 February 2005). "The hidden lives of sloths". Interesting Thing of the Day. alt concepts. Retrieved 14 February 2011.[ permanent dead link ]