The structure and the origin of transparency of the wings of Chorinea sylphina, a species of glasswinged butterflies, were explored using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV photography, spectrophotometry, and optical polarimetry. We found that for normally incident light, the clear transparent areas of the forewings and hindwings exhibit significant transmission as well as minuscule reflection throughout the visible regime in the electromagnetic spectrum. We found that the transparency results from the sparsity, the semitransparency, and the upright orientation of single scales on the wing membrane. The red and dark brown colors of the nontransparent areas of the wings have a pigmentary origin. Coherent scattering from the slanted and overlapping lamellae in the scale ridges and diffraction from every scale's longitudinal network of parallel ridges are responsible for blue iridescence and shimmer at large viewing angles. The transparent areas of the wings function as absorbing linear polarizers, due to both the parallel ridges and the almost unidirectional orientation of individual scales on those areas.

We report diurnal behavior in the mimallonid Lacosoma chiridota Grote, 1864. Female pheromone releasing behavior was recorded in the late afternoon in Gainesville, Florida. A single diurnal male was recorded responding to a “calling” female at 1745 h. We discuss the unique case of sexual dimorphism exhibited by L. chiridota, such that most Mimallonidae generally do not display pronounced sexual dimorphism, and suggest that this may be related to the likewise unique diurnal behavior of this species.

Despite decades of research on Ranchman's tiger moth (Platyprepia virginalis), little is known about the behavior and ecology of the adult life stage. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted surveys to quantify the spatial distribution of moths, and conducted laboratory and field oviposition assays as well as a field oviposition survey. We found that P. virginalis exhibits hilltopping behavior, a mate-locating strategy where individuals congregate on hilltops to increase the likelihood of sexual encounters. This behavior is common across many insect orders, but there are few examples of moths exhibiting this behavior. We found no evidence supporting our hypothesis that bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus), the primary larval hostplant within our study site, is the preferred oviposition hostplant. The opportunistic discovery of egg clutches on seaside daisy plants (Erigeron glaucus) led us to conduct a no-choice larval feeding assay to determine its suitability as a hostplant. We found that larvae reared on L. arboreus were more likely to survive compared to those reared on E. glaucus.

The hypothetical ground plan of the lepidopterous family Zygaenidae is reconstructed based on a review of the apomorphic characters of the Zygaenoidea. Five subfamilies are recognised and their characters discussed in detail: Inouelinae new subfamily, Procridinae, Chalcosiinae, Callizygaeninae and Zygaeninae. A review of the possible autapomorphies of Procridinae is provided. The autapomorphic structure in the receptaculum seminis in the spermatheca of the Procridinae females is newly described as bursa utricularis.

The external morphology of the egg and first instar of the little-known Neotropical geometrid moth Pero obtusaria Prout, 1928 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae: Azelinini) is described and illustrated based on light and scanning electron microscopy. This is the first morphological study dealing with immature stages of a Neotropical species of the highly diverse New World moth genus Pero.