Gymnelia salvini (Butler, 1876)

Butler, A. G. (1876). Notes on the Lepidoptera of the family Zygaenidae,
with descriptions of new genera and species. Journal of the Linnean
Society of London, Zoology 12: 342-407; pp. 376-377 (as Homoeocera
salvini).

8. H. salvini, n. sp.

Frons red-brown behind palpi, metallic green above; crest black; back of
head black, with two large metallic-green spots; antennae black,
encircled with whitish at their origin; collar metallic green;
pterygodes black, with a broad internal metallic-green border; thorax
black, a large bifid green spot in front, and two similarly coloured
spots behind; abdomen black, with a lateral decreasing series of
metallic green interrupted bands, front margins of first two or three
segments very narrowly edged with testaceous, anal segments deep orange:
wings testaceous hyaline, veins black, primaries with base, a broad
apical patch, the apical half of costa, outer and inner margins black, a
bifid metallic green spot at base; secondaries with the margins and a
spot at anal angle black; body below black; coxae and trochanters and the
inner margin of femora of front legs snow-white, front margins of tibiae
and hind margins of femora of second and third pairs metallic green;
tarsi brown; abdomen with a broad semicircular basal white band; lateral
metallic green spots; anus orange: expanse of wings 38 millims.

Obispo, Panama (Salvin). Type, B.M.

A beautiful and very distinct species, somewhat resembling Pheia intensa.

Hampson, G. F. (1898). Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalaenae in the
British Museum, vol. 1, Syntomidae: p. 235 (as Cosmosoma salvini;
transferred to Gymnelia in Suppl. 1, 1914, p. 119, no. 391 a).

494. Cosmosoma salvini.

Homoeocera salvini, Butl. Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xii. p. 376 (1876);
id. Ill. Het. i. p. 27, pl. 17. f. 4; Druce, Biol. Centr.-Am., Het. i. p.
52; Kirby, Cat. Het. p. 133.

Male. Head, thorax, and abdomen black; frons, vertex of head and thorax,
tegulae, patagia, legs, and sides of abdomen with large very brilliant
metallic blue patches; coxae white; the ventral valve edged with white;
abdomen orange at extremity; wings yellowish hyaline, the veins and
margins narrowly black. Fore wing with metallic blue basal patch; the
apical area broadly black. Hind wing with the terminal band expanding at
vein 1.

Hab. Panama, Obispo, 1 male (Salvin), type. Exp. 40 millim.

Draudt, M. (1915). Cosmosoma. In: Seitz, A. (ed.), The Macrolepidoptera
of the World, vol. 6, The American Bombyces and Sphinges: p. 75, pl. 14 m
(as C. salvini; transferred to Gymnelia in the Additions and Corrections,
p. 198).

C. salvini Btlr. (14 m). Black; head and thorax, collar and
shoulder-covers, legs and sides of the abdomen with large, uncommonly
brilliant metallic blue spots. Forehips white. Ventral valve bordered
with white. Abdominal end orange. Wings yellowish hyaline with fine black
veins and margins; the forewings exhibit a large apical spot and blue
basal spot. Expanse of wings: 40 mm. Panama (Obispo).