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Urania sloanus (Cramer, 1779), an extinct species in
the collection of the Upper Silesian Museum (Muzeum
Górnos´la˛skie), Bytom, Poland
(Lepidoptera: Uraniidae)
P. Domagala, A. Larysz, R. Dobosz & J. M. González
Abstract
Urania sloanus (Cramer, 1779) is an endemic Lepidoptera species from Jamaica. It is believed to be extinct
since the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th. While revising the exotic Lepidoptera’ collection of
the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom, Poland, a well preserved specimen of this species was found. As far as we
know, it could be one of the very few specimens of that species in Polish museum collections.
KEY WORDS: Lepidoptera, Uraniidae, Biodiversity, extinct species, Omphalea, Jamaica, Venezuela.
Urania sloanus (Cramer, 1779), una especie extinguida en la colección del Upper Silesian Museum (Muzeum
Górnos´la˛skie), Bytom, Polonia
(Lepidoptera: Uraniidae)
Resumen
Urania sloanus (Cramer, 1779) es un Lepidoptera endémico de Jamaica. Se cree extinta desde finales del
siglo 19 o principios del 20. Mientras se revisaba la colección de mariposas exóticas del Upper Silesian Museum
en Bytom, Polonia, encontramos un ejemplar bien conservado de esta especie. En lo que a nosotros respecta, este
podría ser uno de pocos ejemplares de la especie en las colecciones de museos polacos.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Lepidoptera, Uraniidae, Biodiversidad, especie extinta, Omphalea, Jamaica, Venezuela.
Introduction
The family Uraniidae contains roughly 700 species, included within four subfamilies (Auzeinae,
Epipleminae, Microniinae and Uraniinae) and ninety genera (GONZÁLEZ, 2013). The members of
the genus Urania are medium sized moths with very characteristic wing shape, pattern and colors,
and to the novice they might be confused with swallowtails (Papilionidae) (GOSSE 1851). Their
imagoes are active during the day, sometimes at dusk or at night and feed on the nectar of flowers of
several plant families (LEES & SMITH, 1991). Their larvae feed on various species of
Euphorbiaceae, mainly those in the pantropical genus Omphalea (GONZÁLEZ, 2013; LEES &
SMITH, 1991). The genus Urania consists of six species, characteristic of the Neotropics. Three
species (Urania leilus, U. brasiliensis and U. fulgens) occur in the continental Americas, while the
other three species are found on some Caribbean islands. Urania poei and U. boisduvali are endemic
to Cuba, while U. sloanus was endemic to Jamaica (LEES & SMITH, 1991).
Urania sloanus was originally described by Pieter Cramer (as Papilio sloanus) and named to
honor the British naturalist Hans Sloane (1660-1753) who had observed and collected them during
SHILAP Revta. lepid., 43 (171), septiembre 2015: 455-460 eISSN: 2340-4078 ISSN: 0300-5267
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his time in Jamaica (CRAMER, 1779; SLOANE, 1725). Sloane explored Jamaica from 1687 to 1689,
and collected several specimens of what he thought were “Papilio caudatus” which together with
many flora and fauna specimens of his natural history collection were eventually hosted at the British
Museum (Natural History Museum) in London (HAWKINS, 2010; SLOANE, 1725).
The biology of U. sloanus was described in detail by GOSSE (1851, 1881, 1882), who found it
similar to other Urania species. Moths were active during the day and at dusk, visiting mango and
avocado flowers (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae, and Persea americana (L.) Cockerell,
Lauraceae, respectively) early in the morning (before 10:00 - 11:00) and during the evening (17:00 -
18:00) (GOSSE, 1851, 1881). Adults were found perching head down with extended wings during the
hot hours close to noon (GOSSE 1881). They were also reported flying in large groups during March,
April and June; however single specimens could be seen during the whole year (GOSSE, 1851). The
species was found in lowland rainforests in areas up to 700 meters above sea level and within the
surroundings of their host plant Omphalea triandra (Euphorbiaceae). The species was first
discovered as larvae feeding in large quantities on O. triandria in Bogue Bay near Ocho Ríos,
Jamaica (GOSSE, 1851, 1881). However, the species might have fed on other species of Omphalea
(i.e. O. diandria) also found on the island (LEES & SMITH, 1991). The last living specimen of this
species was seen supposedly between 1894 and 1895 (LEES & SMITH, 1991), however some
Museum specimens have been found labeled years later (VINCIGUERRA, 2009). It has been
suggested that extinction of this species was probably caused by habitat destruction, extinction of its
main host, and environmental causes, such as hurricanes which frequently hit Jamaica (LEES &
SMITH, 1991).
Material Examined: 1 1, Venezuela, 5959/32300, coll. Upper Silesian Museum (USMB) Bytom,
Poland (Figs. 1-2).
In general, the insect is well preserved, without any damage made by pests. The specimen lacks
the right antenna, however an antennae from another lepidopteran was glued instead (Figs. 1-2).
The right fore wing has a 3 x 1 mm sized hole in the median cell, which was repaired by
attaching a piece of wing from another lepidopteran on the ventral side. The external margin has
some tiny tears, the largest being about 1 mm long. A triangle shaped piece of wing from another
lepidoptera is attached on the ventral side of the wing, along the external margin from the anal region
to the middle of the wing (on the external margin region) (Fig. 2). A small tear, about 2 mm deep, is
above the middle of the external margin, and was not repaired. Left forewing and hind wings are all
well preserved, without visible damage. Colors on the wings, dorsally and ventrally, are not faded.
The label that we encountered with the specimen was made of paper measuring 18 x 11 mm. It
has a printed border in the shape of a double octagon. The only information appearing on the label is
the hand-written locality “Venezuela”. The label also shows three pin holes, two of which have the
same diameter, and one is smaller than the other two. No records on how this specimen was obtained
by the Museum were found in our archives.
Discussion
The well preserved specimen of U. sloanus at the Upper Silesian Museum clearly indicates that
the moth was never exposed for long periods to the sun or bright lights and it was stored in good
conditions. Professionally taped holes in two sections of the right forewing and glued right antenna
may suggest that the original collector wanted to keep the aesthetic values of the specimen. By the
beginning of the twentieth century U. sloanus was possibly very valuable to collectors since it was
difficult to obtain back then. Analyzing the lepidoptera catalog of STAUDINGER & BANG-HAAS
(1919), which was one of the largest entomological suppliers in the world at that time, we could not
find specimens of this species offered for sale. However, specimens of Papilio homerus
(Papilionidae), another rare species, also endemic to Jamaica, were listed (STAUDINGER & BANG-
HAAS, 1919).
Even though the label attached to the specimen indicates that it comes from Venezuela, South
P. DOMAGALA, A. LARYSZ, R. DOBOSZ & J. M. GONZÁLEZ
456 SHILAP Revta. lepid., 43 (171), septiembre 2015
455-460 Urania sloanus (Crame 7/9/15 16:10 Página 456
America, this seems to be a negligible possibility (G. Lamas and A. Viloria, personal
communication). The typical host of U. sloanus was O. triandra (Euphorbiaceae) also endemic to
Jamaica, although all Urania species are oligophagous. Thus it is possible that they could feed on
other Omphalea species such as O. diandra, also present in Jamaica but distributed in Central
America and northern South America, including Venezuela (LEES & SMITH, 1991; FUNK et al.,
2007). Two species of Urania (U. fulgens and U. leilus) are known from Venezuela and they have
been reported flying long distances and even involved in migrations (BEEBE, 1951; MANARA,
1994; OSUNA, 2000; RAYMOND, 1982; SANDOVAL et al., 2007; SCHMID & ENDICOTT,
1967). And even though U. sloanus was once reported from Cuba (SAGRA, 1857), such a possibility
was discarded by other researchers. Furthermore, the Uraniidae have been recognized as great flyers
and involved in long distance migrations, and with the help of strong Caribbean winds some
individuals may have reached the coast of northern South America. Thus, hypothetically, it may be
possible that a vagrant specimen arrived in Venezuela to be later collected. However, the species has
never been reported before from continental South America, as its possible alternative host plant (O.
diandra).
The date and how the specimen was obtained are unknown to us, but during the detailed
exploration of the Upper Silesian Museum collection several other specimens with the same or very
similar label design and handwriting were found (Fig. 3). They are: Papilio memnon, labeled
“Tonkin”, Cethosia cydippe damasippe, labeled “D. N. Guin.” Eurytides serville, labeled “Ecuador”
and Ornithoptera priamus euphorion, dated 1884 in a similar but non-octogonal “framed” label, with
an extra label written in pencil with handwriting similar to the three above mentioned. Tonkin is the
name of North Vietnam and south of China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, during the Sino-French
war (1884-1885) and while the region was a French protectorate from 1885 to 1945; “D. N. Guin.”
clearly refers to “Deutsch-Neuguinea” or German New Guinea, a protectorate between 1884 and
1914, covering the island of New Guinea and several surrounding islands in the Pacific Ocean. The
similarity of these labels may suggest that the specimen of U. sloanus was probably part of this small
group of insects that possibly belonged to the same collection or it was bought from a dealer
sometime between 1884 and 1914. This brings us to another possibility. Old museums are filled with
specimens bought from dealers, many with few scruples, thus it is also possible that the label was
placed in the dealership but the specimen simply was not from that site (G. Lamas, personal
communication). Interestingly, the three specimens with identical labels than the U. sloanus (Fig. 3)
are from countries where those particular insects are commonly found. However, three holes can be
seen in the label of our specimen, clearly implying pin removal (Fig. 3). One of the holes is smaller
than the other two, these being of similar size to the pin that is actually holding the insect. This
suggests that the label may have originally belonged to another specimen, pinned with a smaller size
pin and such a label was clearly misplaced.
The origin of the specimen, as well as those with similar labels, is not known and they came
possibly from one of the pre-war German collections that were eventually gathered and placed in the
Upper Silesian Museum. Currently, the species is part of the newly formed entomological collection,
in which the material from several collections has been mixed, but identified and systematically
arranged in new display cases and cabinets.
Despite the highly possible incorrect locality label, this specimen of U. sloanus is still a valuable
one mainly because of its scarcity and the fact that it is most probably an extinct species. The exact
number of preserved specimens of U. sloanus in Poland is not known. We know for certain that the
Natural History Museum in London with one of the largest collections of Lepidoptera in the world
has some 50+ specimens, including the type material; most with labels stating they come from
Jamaica, but a few lack locality labels (J. Chainey, personal communication). However, it is known
that there are not many specimens of this extinct species in most museums worldwide, thus the
presence of this as well as other interesting Neotropical insects [i.e. Castniidae (GONZÁLEZ et al.,
2013)] in the Upper Silesian Museum indicates the high scientific value of its entomological
collection.
URANIA SLOANUS (CRAMER, 1779), AN EXTINCT SPECIES IN THE COLLECTION OF THE UPPER SILESIAN MUSEUM
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Acknowledgements
We greatly appreciate Alessandro Giusti and John Chainey (Natural History Museum, London),
Gerardo Lamas (Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Perú), and
Ángel L. Viloria (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Venezuela) for their comments,
suggestions and help. We also thank Emily Suryady (California State University, Fresno) for proof
reading the manuscript.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BEEBE, W., 1951.– Migration of Day-flying moths through Portachuelo Pass, Rancho Grande, North-Central
Venezuela.– Zoologica, 36(19): 243-255.
CRAMER, P. 1779.– Papillons Exotiques des Trois Parties du Monde, L’Asie, L’Afrique et L’Amerique, 1: 155 pp.
Baalde and Barthelemy Wild, Amsterdam and Utretch.
FUNK, V., HOLLOWELL, T., BERRY, P., KELLOF, C., & ALEXANDER, S. N., 2007.– Checklist of the plants
of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana).–
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, 55: 1-584.
GONZÁLEZ, J. M., 2013.– The genus Alcides Hübner, [1822] (Lepidoptera Uraniidae).– Biodiversity Journal,
4(2): 1-2.
GONZÁLEZ, J. M., DOMAGALA, P. & LARYSZ, A., 2013.– The giant Butterfly-Moths (Lepidoptera
Castniidae) of the Upper Silesian Museum (Muzeum Górnoœl◊skie) in Bytom, Poland, with notes on the
history of the Museum.– Biodiversity Journal, 4(1): 219-228.
GOSSE, P. H., 1851.– A Naturalist’s Sojourn in Jamaica: 508 pp. Longman, Brown, Green and Longmans,
London.
GOSSE, P. H., 1880.– Urania sloanus at home.– Entomologist, 13: 133-135.
GOSSE, P. H., 1881.– Urania sloanus at home: II. The larva and pupa.– Entomologist, 14: 241-245.
HAWKINS, S. A., 2010.– Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1735): his life and legacy.– Ulster Medical Journal, 79(1): 25-
29.
LEES, D. C. & SMITH, N. G., 1991.– Foodplant associations of the Uraniinae (Uraniidae) and their Systematic,
Evolutionary, and ecological significance.– Journal of the Lepidopterists Society, 45(4): 296-347.
MANARA, B., 1994.– 25 Mariposas de Caracas: 85 pp. Editorial Arte, Caracas.
OSUNA, E., 2000.– Entomología del parque nacional Henri Pittier: 199 pp. Fundación Polar, Caracas.
RAYMOND, T., 1982.– Mariposas de Venezuela: 277 pp. Editorial Corpoven, Caracas.
SAGRA, R. DE LA, 1857.– Histoire Physique, Politique et naturelle de L’Ile de Cuba: 868 pp. Arthus Berntrand
ed., Paris.
SANDOVAL, M. F., FERNÁNDEZ-BADILLO, A., & GONZÁLEZ, J. M., 2007.– Mariposas (Insecta:
Lepidoptera) del Parque Henri Pittier, Venezuela: lista, distribución y algunas notas sobre su historia
natural.– Revista de la Facultad de Agronomía, Alcance 70: 1-140.
SLOANE, H., 1725.– A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbadoes, Nieves, St Christophers, and Jamaica; with the
Natural History of the Herbs and Trees, Four-Footed, Beasts, Fishes, Birds, Insects, Reptiles, & C. Of the
lasts of those Islands, 2: 272 pp. Author, London.
SCHMID, M. & ENDICOTT, B. M., 1968.– Mariposas de Venezuela: 67 pp. L. Levison Jr. Ltd., Copenhague.
STAUDINGER, O. & BANG-HAAS, A., 1919.– Lepidopteren-Liste Nr. 58: 108 pp. Blasewitz, Dresden.
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Revista lepidopterológica, 37(147): 1-6 p.
*P. D. A. L., R. D.
Department of Biosystematics Upper Silesian Museum
Opole University Natural History Department
Oleska, 22 Sobieskiego, 2
PL-45-052 Opole PL-41-902 Bytom
POLONIA / POLAND POLONIA / POLAND
E-mail: ornithoptera@poczta.onet.pl
P. DOMAGALA, A. LARYSZ, R. DOBOSZ & J. M. GONZÁLEZ
458 SHILAP Revta. lepid., 43 (171), septiembre 2015
455-460 Urania sloanus (Crame 7/9/15 16:10 Página 458
J. M. G.
California State University,
Fresno Department of Plant Science
2415 San Ramon Ave. M/S AS72
Fresno, CA 93740-8033
EEUU / USA
E-mail: gonzalez.jorge.m@gmail.com
*Autor para la correspondencia / Corresponding author
(Recibido para publicación / Received for publication 26-IX-2014)
(Revisado y aceptado / Revised and accepted 28-XI-2014)
(Publicado / Published 30-IX-2015)
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P. DOMAGALA, A. LARYSZ, R. DOBOSZ & J. M. GONZÁLEZ
460 SHILAP Revta. lepid., 43 (171), septiembre 2015
Figures 1-3.– 1. Dorsal view of Urania sloanus specimen at the Upper Silesian Museum, Bytom, Poland. Right
antenna belongs to another Lepidoptera species and was glued to maintain the visual value of the specimen. 2.
Ventral view of Urania sloanus specimen at the Upper Silesian Museum, Byton, Poland. Notice the parchments
done with wing sections of other Lepidoptera species attached to the ventral side of the right forewing. 3. The
label “Venezuela” is attached to the Urania sloanus specimen from the Upper Silesian Museum, Bytom,
Poland. Similar labels were found attached to other species collected worldwide, indicating that they probably
came from the same source.
1 2
3
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