Decachorda pomona
dek-uh-KORD-uhMpeh-MOH-neh
(Weymer, 1892) (Dreata) RO

Decachorda pomona (male), Tanzania, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Tribe: Micragonini Cockerell in Packard, 1914 (1902) Genus: Decachorda, Aurivillius,1898

MIDI MUSIC "Moon River" copyright C. Odenkirk ON.OFF <bgsound src="moon.mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION:

The Large Rosy Roundwing, Decachorda pomona (forewing length: 22-18mm), flies in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

I have very little information about many of the African species. Distribution/range, flight times, images, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Send info and/or pictures to oehlkew@islandtelecom.com. Every little bit helps!

Pinhey describes D. pomona as having a uniform dark red ground colour with a straight outer line. He indicates he is not confident of that description. If he is correct, the moth depicted above is more likely (based on darker postmedian/submarginal area) D. aspersa.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably flies in December-January, again in April, and possibly at other times.

Decachorda pomona larvae probably feed on Hyparrhenia.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larval Food Plants

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.

Hyparrhenia......

Thatching grass

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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.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The genus name Decachorda means ten chords and may refer to the number of veins on the forewing.

The species name "pomona" is for Pomona, the goddess of the apple tree and other fruit trees.