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Updated as per Bouyer's Catalog of African Saturniidae (BCAS: synonyms and incertae sedis), April 2007 |
TAXONOMY:Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 |
Wind Beneath My Wings |
The following images from the Cornell University collection were identified as Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene. I do not know if that moth has
been synonymized with licharbas, remains a subspecies of licharbas or has been elevated to full species status. The male and female from Zambia seem to lack the
pinkish suffusions in the median area, and the forewing ocelli seem different from the other specimens listed as licharbas on the licharbas page.
Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene male, Mazabuka, Zambia,
Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent,
slight digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.
Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene female, Mazabuka, Zambia,
Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent,
digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.
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 thyene 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.
Mature larvae probably excavate subterranean chambers in which the larvae pupate.
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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 species name thyene probably comes form Greek mythology
where Thyene was one of the seven sisters of Hyas.