DISTRIBUTION:

Epiphora fournierae (wingspan: males: approx. 110mm; females: 99mm) is one of the few Attacini in Africa. Specimens have been taken in
western Ethiopia: Bale Mountains, Harenna Forest.

Epiphora fournierae male, Ethiopia,
110mm, on my home computer only.

The off-white forewing pm line is quite diffuse, especially near the costa where it is slightly curved toward the body. There is only a hint of reddish scaling on its outer edge.

The hindwing pm line is more distinct, yet still diffuse and is slightly more reddish scaling away from the body. There are no antemdian lines on either the forewings or the hindwings. Ground colour is an almomst uniform dull grey-brown, slightly darker in the postmedian areas.

The male forewing apex is only slightly produced with a relatively large black, oval spot. The irregular, thin, white, apical line does not project inwardly much more than halfway past the midpoint of the dark oval.

The description above is from observations of only two specimens so I do not know how characteristic/consistent those features are.

I also find the features I have noted above would apply to images of specimens I have seen identified as E. antinorii, which perhaps ?? has smaller crescents on all wings, slightly less diffuse pm lines with more reddish scaling. The forewing pm line also seems slightly closer to the outer margin in antinorii specimens.

My descriptions would also apply to Epiphora elianae which is also reported from Ethiopia. Perhaps there are differences on ventral surfaces that are key determiners. Perhaps these three species can only be determined by examination of genitalia or DNA barcoding; perhaps there has been or will be some synonymizing.

Epiphora elianae = Epiphora fournierae female, Bale Mountains, Harenna Forest, Ethiopia,
99mm, February 20, 2010, 2350m, courtesy of Andrea Sciarretta.

In February, 2010, Thierry Bouyer indicates E. elianae is a synonym of Epiphora fournierae and fournierae would have precedence.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February in Ethiopia.

Epiphora fournierae larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora fournierae 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 probably more rounded than those of the male.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

The cocoon is probably double walled, resembling the cocoon of the Hyalphora species.

The species name is probably honourific for a woman named Fourniera.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of an anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Discoglypremna caloneura......

Euphorbiaceae

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