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A lost species of clearwing moth, Heterosphecia tawonoides, rediscovered in Malaysia.
-Title of the publication: A 130-Year-Old Specimen Brought Back to Life: A Lost Species of Bee-Mimicking Clearwing Moth, Heterosphecia tawonoides (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini), Rediscovered in Peninsular Malaysia’s Primary Rainforest.
Abstract. Heterosphecia tawonoides Kallies, a “lost” species of clearwing moth known only from a single specimen from 1887 (the holotype, which is missing important morphological features), was observed and filmed for the first time in its natural habitat. Our studies have shown that it is associated with Malaysian primary lowland dipterocarp forests, ecosystems which are vanishing rapidly due to extensive human activity. This is the first record of H. tawonoides in Malaysia. Behavioral aspects, such as mud-puddling among bees and acoustic mimicry, are discussed and shown in a video. A morphological redescription, including features visible on live individuals only, is provided. The DNA barcode sequence is given, with comparison to closely related species.
Full article available at:
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/194008291773977400 -
A new species of clearwing moth, Pyrophleps ellawi, named in honour of ClearWing Foundation Co-founder, EL Law
-Title of the publication: A new species of wasp-mimicking clearwing moth from Peninsular Malaysia with DNA barcode and behavioural notes (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae).
Abstract. A new species of clearwing moth, Pyrophleps ellawi Skowron Volponi, sp. n., is described from Peninsular Malaysia. Information on the habitat, time and conditions of occurrence, flight and mud-puddling behaviour, functional morphology, and DNA barcode are also provided. Photographs and a supplementary video from the wild demonstrate the postures and behaviour of this species of Pyrophleps, whose remaining
members were described only on the basis of pinned specimens. This is the first record of this genus in Peninsular Malaysia.Full article available at: https://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=13587
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Insect Talk in Collaboration with Plantzania
-ClearWing Foundation has established a cooperation with Plantzania, an initiative aiming at spreading awareness and rising fascination of the natural world, especially among children, high school students and families.
In March 2017, within Plantzania’s series of scientific talks, ClearWing Foundation Vice-chairman Marta Skowron Volponi gave a lecture about mimicry in insects “Jungle Pretenders – Are Insects the Masters of Mimicry?” at the Fruit Valley Selangor for both the public and academic community.
For Plantzania’s first project for students from elementary school to high school level, the “Plantzania School Attack Club” ClearWing Foundation Chairman Paolo Volponi has prepared a promotion video showing the wonders of the Malaysian rainforest and its inhabitants.
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