DISTRIBUTION:

Bunaeopsis species, undetermined, flies in
Senegal.

Apparently Bunaeopsis species are highly variable, and I have been told that not all genera give consistent DNA barcoding results. There may also be difficulty establishing a baseline for some species due to lost types. At any rate, the two images from Alain Coache on this page are undetermined, not necessarily an undescribed species, just something that cannot be placed at this time.

Bunaeopsis male, (undetermined), courtesy of Alain Coache.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are records of a September flight in Senegal. There may be more than one annual flight.

Bunaeopsis larvae possibly feed on Bamboo, Bequaertiodendron, Chrysophyllum, Hyparrhenia contracta, Irvingia and Pennisetum.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Bunaeopsis males are active at night and come in to lights. Females have not been collected, but it is expected they scent at night and have a very strong ovipositing urge.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Bunaeopsis larvae possibly feed on Bamboo, Bequaertiodendron, Chrysophyllum, Hyparrhenia contracta, Irvingia and Pennisetum.

Mature larvae excavate subterranean chambers in which they pupate.

Listed below are the anticipated primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Bamboo Bequaertiodendron Chrysophyllum Hyparrhenia contracta..... Irvingia Pennisetum

Bamboo Fluted milkweed Goldenleaf Thatching grass Wild mango Elephant grass

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The genus name Bunaeopsis, indicates a similarity ('opsis' = looks like) to the Bunaea genus. That name is from the Greek and refers to a lobed hill-dweller.

The species name hersilia comes from Hersilia, the wife of Romulus who is the founder of Rome in Roman mythology.