Epiphora getula

Epiphora getula
(Maassen & Weyding, 1885) (Philosamia)

Epiphora getula courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Attacini, Blanchard, 1840
Genus: Epiphora, Wallengren, 1860

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DISTRIBUTION:

Epiphora getula is one of the few Attacini in Africa. Forewing length is 85-90mm (big one), and this species is recorded by Pinhey from Tanzania and West Africa.

It may be the same as ploetzi, according to Rougeot.

Bouyer, 1999, states it belongs to the vacuna group and is hard to distinguish from other similar "species." There may be considerable revision in this genus.

Hyaline spots are large and either round or ovate on all wings.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Epiphora getula larvae probably feed on Discoglypremna caloneura.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora getula 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.

Discoglypremna caloneura......

Euphorbiaceae

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