DISTRIBUTION:

The Clouded Prince, Micragone nenia (wingspan: males: 55-81mm; females: // forewing length 36-38mm) flies in Guinea, probably ?? Sierra Leone, western Ivory Coast, Liberia, southeastern Senegal. The moth to the right was taken in the Comoe environs, I.C., and is courtesy of Jiri Zabokrtsky. Pinhey describes this species as M. nubifera with a "velvety blackish cloud in the outer part of the forewing". Thierry Bouyer (1999) equates M. nubifera with Micragone nenia. The forewing is not as falcate as in the southerly M. herilla, but is more falcate than in M. ansorgei. Outer margins are strongly toothed.

The above specimen shows the violet-brown scaling along the costa.

Thierry Bouyer, March 2006, indicates that the Ivory Coast specimen is more likely Micragone ducorpsi, but indicates examination of genitalia is probably needed for a final diagnosis. Many of the Micragone species are very similar.

The Natural History Museum reports Kap Palmas, Sierre Leone; Senegal; and Cameroon.

Micragone nenia male, 81mm, Guinea,
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Micragone nenia male (verso), 81mm, Guinea,
on my home computer only

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies from .

Micragone nenia larvae feed on Xylopia aethiopica and on Annona senegalensis.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The female is quite different from the male. The forewing is very rounded with diffuse orange patches in the outer half. The hindwing is brown, pink at the base with a large white patch.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

The mature larva has a head that is olive-green with blackish markings. The true legs are reddish brown. Green tubercles, supporting long black hairs, emanate in rows from greenish-grey thoracic segments and yellow abdominal segments. There is a greyish-blue median dorsal band and green and yellow lateral lines.

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.

Annona senegalensis ....... Xylopia aethiopica

Wild Custard Apple Negro pepper

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Micragone comes from the Greek words for a small contest, according to Pinhey.

The reason for the species name, 'nenia', which means 'funeral song' is probably the dark colouration and the even darker patch below the forewing apex.