I cannot find a perfect match for the Kelly Price image above. It seems closest to francottei by location and appearance, but I note very small hyaline centers in all ocelli in Kelly's image. Thierry indicates it is probably from the zaddachi group.

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

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DISTRIBUTION:

Bunaeopsis francottei (wingspan: males: approx. 98-108mm; females: ) flies in Congo.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is probably only one generation per year with moths on the wing probably from January and February. Bunaeopsis francottei larvae are believed to favour??

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Bunaeopsis francottei 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:

The life history is unknown. I believe all mature Buanaeopsis larvae excavate subterranean chambers and pupate underground.

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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Return to Bunaeopsis Genus

Go to Index for African Saturniidae

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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 francottei is honourific for Francotte.