Cryptic species within cryptic moths: new species of Dunama Schaus (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) in Costa Rica

A comprehensive review of the genus Dunama (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) in Costa Rica reveals seven new cryptic species, bringing the total to eight. These were identified using distinctive CO1 barcodes, genitalia morphology, and life history traits, with one previously recorded species (Dunama tuna) corrected to Colombia. The study, based on nearly 1,700 specimens from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), also describes adult moths, caterpillars, their host plants, and parasites, contributing critical insights into biodiversity and taxonomy in this UNESCO-listed region.

Chacón, I., Janzen, D., Hallwachs, W., Sullivan, J., & Hajibabaei, M. (2013). Cryptic species within cryptic moths: new species of Dunama Schaus (Notodontidae, Nystaleinae) in Costa Rica. ZooKeys, 264, 11–45. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.264.4440