Bunaeopsis editha
Updated as per Bouyer's Catalog of African Saturniidae (BCAS: synonyms and incertae sedis), April 2007
Updated as per personal communication with Andreas Reikert (southwest Tanzania); December 26, 2010

Bunaeopsis editha
bewe-nay-OPS-ihsmmee-DIH-thuh
(Wichgraf, 1914)

Bunaeopsis editha male, southwest Tanzania,
courtesy of Andreas Riekert.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Bunaeini, Packard, 1902
Genus: Bunaeopsis, Bouvier, 1927

MIDI MUSIC

Wind Beneath My Wings
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DISTRIBUTION:

Bunaeopsis editha, (wingspan: ? mm) is found in southwest Tanzania.

Thierry Bouyer lists this moth as "Incertae sedis" in his 1999 catalogue.

Incertae sedis means "of uncertain position (seat)". It is a phrase used to define a taxonomic group where the broader relationships are unknown or undefined.

Thus, Bunaeopsis editha may be a distinct species, but it might also be a synonym for other similar moths going by a different name. More scientific study is needed to determine the relationships.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is probably only one generation of Bunaeopsis editha per year with moths probably on the wing in July.

Bunaeopsis editha female, southwest Tanzania,
courtesy of Andreas Riekert.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males are probably active at night and come in to lights.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

The life history is unknown.

Mature larvae probably excavate subterranean chambers in which the larvae pupate.

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.



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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 editha is probably honourific for a woman named Edith.