DISTRIBUTION:

Jackson's Emperor, Bunaeopsis jacksoni, (wingspan approximately 107-110 mm) flies in Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, northward to Kenya, and probably Uganda, Africa.

Cooper and Cooper recommend new genus name "Neobunaeopsis" for this species as well as for 'arabella' and 'clementi'. The recommendation is based on differences in genitalia and wings with red basal areas, scalloped outer lines, black markings in submarginal area between wing veins. The larvae are red laterally with a yellow fold and black spiracles. Each segmant has an annular bar that may be either red or yellow.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Bunaeopsis jacksoni larvae feed on Scleria rehmanii and a reed-like grass.

Bunaeopsis jacksoni female, Mbala, northern Zambia,
1971, wingspan: 107mm, courtesy/copyright David T. Rolfe.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Bunaeopsis jacksoni males are active at night and come in to lights.

Bunaeopsis jacksoni male

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Bunaeopsis jacksoni larvae feed on Scleria rehmanii and a reed-like grass.

Pinhey indicates the larva has a brown head. The body is yellow with broad black bands enclosing a yellow transverse line below spiny black tubercles. Mature larvae excavate subterranean chambers and pupate underground. B. jacksoni larva from Pinhey's Emperor Moths of South and South-Central Africa, 1972, on my home computer only.

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.

Scleria rehmanii.......

Sedge

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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 jacksoni is honourific for Sir Frederick Jackson, a governor of Uganda.