DISTRIBUTION:

Orthogonioptilum arnoldi (wingspan: males: 55-68mm; females: larger) flies in
northwestern Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo): Coquilhatville (Mbandaka) and Moungoumba;
Gabon: Makokou, Belinga, l'Ivindo; and
probably northern Congo.

Some (Thierry Bouyer) consider this moth to be the same as O. adustum.

The forewing is quite falcate, but the apex is rounded. The ground colour is yellow-brown to wine-brown. All the lines are well marked, including the transverse line on all wings. The colour is darker between the am and pm lines, brightening to a grey-rose outside the pm line. The median area below the transverse line is a more uniform greyish-yellow.

There is one small "window of light" on each wing below a second miniscule "point of light".

Orthogonioptilum arnoldi/neoprox/???, male, Ipassa Research Station, Ogooue-Ivindo, Gabon,
Novemver 2009, courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

"I find it very difficult to determine identities of many of the Orthogoniptilum. In many cases there are several very similar species in the same habitat/location, and the generalized descriptions given in text references could apply to more than one species. The plates that I have available to me also are not of great quality, and it seems that specimens of this genus tend to fade rapidly in collections. My ability to read/translate French also is not great.

There may be much more obvious distinctions in fresh specimens or, even better, live moths.

The specimen from Ipassa Research Station has some features that suggest Orthogonioptilum neoprox, but it is hard to determine from photos if all characters are in order.

Philippe Darge describes neoprox as having a forewing anal angle that is greater than ninety degrees. In the live specimen, above, this angle seems less than ninety degrees, but the general distribution of colour, location and the small circular marking just below the costa at the juncture with the pm line are suggestive of neoprox.

I am more inclined to go with O. arnoldi, based primarily on subtle differences that suggest a better match for the image on Plate III in Darge's Saturniidae I. Philippe mentions, however, that the sightings for arnoldi in eastern Gabon are a bit problematic.

There are yet additional species (fang, etc.) that are very close, all reported from the same general area. Perhaps over time this will all get sorted out." Bill Oehlke

Of O. adustum, Philipppe Darge writes, "Refer to the card for O. bergeri Rougeot for the probable synonymity between the two species (adustum and bergeri)."

Darge describes O. bergeri as follows: The forewing is very falcate (much more so than in prox or neoprox), the hindwing is elongated (more than in uelense). The ground colour is a dark reddish brown. The fw pm line is well marked and rather thick. The transverse line is also well marked and especially thick on the lower wing. The am line is more subdued, especially near the costa.

There are two relatively large "points of light" on each wing, often accompanied by a third miniscule "point of light" on the hindwing.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in October and possibly earlier from April-June.

Orthogonioptilum arnoldi larval hosts are unknown.

Orthogonioptilum arnoldi female, All Leps Barcode of Life.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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.

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