Nassinia

Nassinia
Nassinia caffraria caffraria, South Africa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Nassinia
D. S. Fletcher, 1979

Nassinia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, found in Sub-Saharan Africa.[1]

Some of the species are known to be partially diurnal, possibly as an adaptation for mate selection.[2] Several such species are aposematic and their males are often active by day, but retain the bipectinate (comb-like on both sides) antennae of their strictly nocturnal relatives. Either sex may be found at light traps at night.[2]

Their food plants seem to be poorly known.[2]

Species

These three species belong to the genus Nassinia:[3][1][4]

  • Nassinia aurantiaca (Prout, 1928)
  • Nassinia caffraria (Linnaeus, 1767)
  • Nassinia pretoria (Prout, 1916)

References

  1. ^ a b "Catalogue of Life, Nassinia Fletcher, 1979". Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  2. ^ a b c Staude, H. S. (2008). "What happens when species of nocturnal Lepidoptera make the transition to a diurnal lifestyle, and why do they do it? Moths 'n things #2" (PDF). Metamorphosis. 19 (1): 33. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  3. ^ "GBIF, Nassinia". Retrieved 2025-10-18.
  4. ^ Rajaei, H.; Hausmann, A.; Scoble, M.; Wanke, D.; et al. (2024). "Online Taxonomic Facility of Geometridae". doi:10.48580/dg9ld-9mhh. Retrieved 2024-11-28.