DISTRIBUTION:

Epiphora congolana is one of the few Attacini in the Congo, Africa.

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!

BOLD Systems lists it in Angola and Central African Republic. I suspect it also flies in Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Perhaps it also flies in Tanzania and Kenya: Kakamega Forest (NiK)).

Epiphora congolana male, 140mm, tentative id, on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

NiK reports April, May and August-February flights over grassland and farmland in Kenya.

Epiphora congolana larvae probably feed on Citrus, Maesopsis eminii, Paullinia, Zanthoxylum macrophyllum and Fagara macrophylla.

Epiphora congolana female, 142mm, tentative id, on my home computer only.

Epiphora congolana female, 153mm, tentative id, on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora congolana females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night-flying males.The pair remains coupled until the following evening.

The wings of the female are more rounded than those of the male.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

The cocoon is double walled and resembles the cocoon of the Hyalphora.

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.

Citrus Fagara macrophylla..... Maesopsis eminii Paullinia Zanthoxylum macrophyllum.......

Citrus East African Satin Wood Muhumula/Musira Guarana Hercules' club

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