DISTRIBUTION:

The Melanocera sufferti moth flies in Tanzania, Africa. The Natural History Museum list Ukerewe, Lake Victoria, in northern Tanzania. Pinhey includes Zambia; Malawi; western Kenya; west tropical Africa.

The genus name, Melanocera, comes from the relatively large black (melano) antennae (cera=horn) that these moths possess.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Melanocera sufferti larvae feed on Bird's-eye bush.

ECLOSION:

Moths emerge from pupae in subterranean chambers excavated by the larvae.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females emit an airbourne pheromone to "call" in the males.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

At maturity the caterpillar will descend the hostplant stems or trunk and dig an underground chamber in which to pupate.

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.

Ochna schweinfurtiana.....

Bird's-eye bush

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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.

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

The genus name Melanocera means "waxy black" and refers to the antennae colouration of the specimen type menippe.

The species name is honourific for Ernst Suffert who collected in Africa for Hill Museum (Pinhey).