DISTRIBUTION:

Epiphora murphyi (wingspan: males: 138-147mm; females: ??) is one of the few Attacini in Africa. Specimens have been taken in Zambia and Malawi: Mzuzu.

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Epiphora manowensis male, Mbala, Zambia,
138mm, February 8, 1972, courtesy of Dave Rolfe,
appears closer to E. murphyi, Bill Oehlke, *1.

I am now quite convinced, based on Thierry Bouyer's images of Epiphora murphyi and Epiphora manowensis on BOLD systems' data base that the Dave Rolfe image from Zambia is most likely E. murphyi, *1. Thierry Bouyer is the describer of E. murphyi .

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January(TB)-February(DR).

Epiphora murphyi larval hosts are unknown.

Epiphora murphyi male (verso), Mzuzu, Malawi, 147mm, January, on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora murphyi 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.

Epiphora murphyi third instars, feeding on Coenothus, Malawi,
courtesy of Thierry Bouyer.

Epiphora murphyi fourth instars, feeding on Coenothus, Malawi,
courtesy of Thierry Bouyer.

Epiphora murphyi fourth instar, feeding on Coenothus, Malawi,
courtesy of Thierry Bouyer.

Epiphora murphyi fifth instar, feeding on Coenothus, Malawi,
courtesy of Thierry Bouyer.

The species name is honourific for collector R. Murphy.

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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