Détail de la référence

Ein weiteres Exemplar von Lethe(?) corbieri Nel, 1993 (Lepidoptera, Satyridae) aus dem Unter-Oligozän von Céreste (Süd-Frankreich)

Auteur : Pfretzschner (Hans Ulrich)


Année de publication : 1998
Publication : Paläontologische Zeitschrift
Volume : 72
Fascicule : 1-2
Pagination : 59-64


Résumé :

- A new specimen of the family Satyridae from Cereste is described. The specimen is an isolated right forewing. It is classified as a satyr because of the swelling at the base of some veins and of the presence of a postdiscal eyespot. The color patterns as well as the dimensions of the wing characterize the fossil as a member of the species Lethe ? corbieri (NEL et al. 1993). Together with other fossil butterflies this specimen demonstrates the importance of the satyres in the Oligocene of Southern France. Among modem butterflies only the families of the Satyridae and the Hesperiidae are highly specialized on grasses as host plants for their caterpillars. Besides some satyrs true skippers are also known from the Oligocene of Southern France. The frequency of fossils of these two families probably indicates a Lower Oligocene spreading of grasses in Europe