DISTRIBUTION:

The Southern Cat's-eyed Emperor, Aurivillius fuscus, flies in
South Africa: Kaw-Zulu Natal; Limpopo=Eastern Transvaal
Botswana;
Mozambique: Maputo Region;
Zimbabwe.

Aurivillius fuscus male, Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa,
March 4, 2009, via Vanessa Rice, id and digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

Aurivillius fuscus male, Mpumalanga, South Africa,
February 13, 2012, courtesy of Jeni Ingram.

Aurivillius fuscus male, Zitundo, Maputo Region, Mozambique,
115mm, January 19, 2008, courtesy of Andrea Sciarretta,
id and digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

Rolf Oberprieler confirms this species for South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

In May 2007, Thierry Bouyer indicates, "Aurivillius orientalis Bouyer, 2007 from Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi replaces A. fuscus in those countries."

There are additional images and info at More A. fuscus

Aurivillius fuscus male, Limpopo, South Africa,
November 14, 2008, Tzaneen in the Broederstroomdrift area, courtesy of Jacolene Meyer.

Aurivillius fuscus male, Limpopo, South Africa,
November 19, 2008, Tzaneen in the Broederstroomdrift area, courtesy of Jacolene Meyer.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

In South Africa, Aurivillius fuscus moths fly in September-October-November-mid December and again in January-February-early March.

Larvae probably feed on Silk tree (Albizia).

Aurivillius fuscus moth, South Africa, courtesy of Jacolene van der Vyver.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females scent and attract males at night by releasing an airbourne pheromone. Males fly in a zigzag pattern into the wind to pick up the pheromone plume with their antennae. Both sexes come to lights with males most common around midnight.

Aurivillius fuscus (female), Botswana, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Eggs are a translucent yellow and are deposited in groups of 6-10 on foodplant leaves.

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in subterranean chambers.

Aurivillius fuscus, Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga (west of Nelspruit), Eastern Transvaal, South Africa, December 15, 2007.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant and possible alternate food plants. (Mostly from Cooper and Cooper) The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Albizia adiantifolia Albizia gummifera Calliandra haematocephala ....... Newtonia hildebrandtii Parkia biglobosa Peltophorum africanum

Flatcrown Smooth-bark Flatcrown Red Powderpuff Lebombo Wattle Locust bean Weeping Wattle

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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.

"Aurivillius" is honourific for Dr. Per Olaf Christopher Aurivillius, a coleopterist and lepidopterist who lived from 1853-1928.

The species name, fuscus, is for the darker, tawny/pinkish brown colouration of some specimens. See additional notes and images page.

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