Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Theroa zethus (Druce, 1898)
Dasylophia zethus Druce, 1898
* phylogenetic sequence #930093
Explanation of Names
Zethus is a character from ancient Greek mythology. In Ovid's "Metamorphoses" Amphion and Zethus were the twin sons of Zeus by Antiope. They are important characters in the founding myths of the city of Thebes, named for the wife of Zethus. Hübner previously named a genus of Sphinx Moths for Amphion and Zethus is a genus of wasps described by Fabricius.
Range
Southern Arizona and southern New Mexico.
(1)
Moth Photographers Group - large range map with collection dates.
Food
Larvae feed on euphorbs, often girdling host stems and petioles. Known hosts include
flowering spurge (
Euphorbia corollata) and
spotted sandmat (
Chamaesyce maculata) (Ganong, Dussourd & Swanson, 2012).
Print References
Druce, H. 1898. Supplement Heterocera. Biologia Centrali-Americana 2:
454
Ganong, C.N., D.E. Dussourd, J.D. Swanson 2012. Girdling by notodontid caterpillars: distribution and occurence. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 6(4): 621-633 (
abstract)
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. pl.42.5f
(2)
Schaus, W. 1901. Revision of the American Notodontidae. Trans. Royal Ent. Soc. London 1901:
270,
pl.11, f.11
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, living and pinned adults.
BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - collection map and photos of pinned adults.