Tarmogidas

Tarmogidas is a fictional genus of nocturnal moths, created for a science fiction world-building context. In the in-universe taxonomy, it is placed in the order Lepidoptera and the family Tarmogidae. The genus was established by entomologist L. M. Kest in 2047, with the name drawing on elements meaning earth and heritage in the constructed language of the setting.

Description and morphology

Members of Tarmogidas are medium-sized moths with a wingspan of about 25 to 40 millimeters. Forewings are brown with pale crescent markings, while hindwings are lighter. Males have bipectinate antennae, a trait used in the fiction to facilitate pheromone detection. The body is slender, and scales on the wings give a soft, matte appearance that blends with leaf litter at rest.

Habitat and ecology

Tarmogidas species inhabit temperate forests in the fictional realm, often found in the understory and leaf litter where they camouflage themselves during the day. In the story universe, larvae feed on lichens and soft bark, while adults nectar on a limited range of night-blooming flowers. They are described as primarily solitary, with mating occurring on warm, damp nights.

Species

Three described species are Tarmogidas nocturna, Tarmogidas crepuscula, and Tarmogidas lithicola. Each is associated with slightly different microhabitats, contributing to niche diversification within the genus.

In culture and references

Tarmogidas appears in field guides and atlas entries within the fictional world, where it is used to illustrate principles of nocturnal Lepidoptera ecology and adaptive camouflage.