DISTRIBUTION:

Gonimbrasia (Nudaurelia) eblis bucholzi flies in Gold Coast (Ghana), and probably from Ivory Coast to western Cameroon. I do not know what distinguishes N. eblis eblis from N. eblis bucholzi, nor do I know where one population ends and the other begins.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi male, Ivory Coast, courtesy of John Kamps,
tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND LARVAL HOSTS:

Gonimbrasia (Nudaurelia) eblis bucholzi natural larval hosts are unknown, but Thomas Maag has had rearing success. with Rubus and Berberis aquifolium.

Gonimbrasia (Nudaurelia) eblis bucholzi male, courtesy of Ken Thorne.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Both sexes are active at night. Males come in to lights around midnight when females are scenting.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi female, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag; digital reconstruction of fw apices by Bill Oehlke.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi eggs and hatchlings, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi first instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Eggs are slightly flattened, pale grey with dark brown lateral rings.

First instar larvae are a dull, dark-grey-brown with slightly raised, black tubercles. The head is a brighter orangey-brown.

Second instar larvae take on a bit more brighter red tints.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi second instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Larvae change rather dramatically as they move into third instar. Thoracic scoli are black and longer than red abdominal scoli. The upper half of the body shows much more pale green to aqua and black patterning.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi third instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi third instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

The lower half of the body begins to show much more green in the fourth instar, and the pale green changes to apple green as larvae mature.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi fourth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi fourth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana,
courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Thomas Maag reports that in captivity this species has been reared on on bramble and on Mahonie (Berberis aquifolium). Thomas suggests that willow might also be a suitable host.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi fifth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi fifth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi sixth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi sixth instar, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi pre-pupa, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

The pupal shell is quite soft and yellow-orange right after the larva has shed its skin for the last time. Usually the shell darkens and hardens considerably within a day or two. Pupation is normally in the soil in a subterranean chamber.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi fresh pupa, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Nudaurelia eblis bucholzi hardened pupae, Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, Ghana, courtesy of Thomas Maag.

Larval Food Plants

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

Berberis aquifolium ....... Rubus Salix ??

Mahone Bramble Willow

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.