DISTRIBUTION:

Orthogonioptilum fontainei (wingspan: males: 55-65mm; females: 77mm) flies in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Uganda,
Central African Republic,
southern Cameroon,
northern Angola and
possibly in northern Congo.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei male, All Leps Barcode of Life.

This moth may be the same as O. hodeberti, Darge, 1988.

In the male, the forewings are very falcate with an elongated, pointed apex. The ground colour is greyish-brown with well-marked, dark lines. There are two prominent hyaline areas, both thick "V"-shapes on the forewing. In the spread position, the lower area is larger. On the hindwing, there is a very tiny point.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei Congo (verso), August 6, 1950
Lepidoptera Types of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

The female is much different, with a yellow ground colour. Her wings are much wider and the forewing apex area is a thin, elongated, pointed projection. There is a very large hyaline spot, enclosing a small, circular "island" on the forewing. Two smaller transparent areas cap the large spot.

The inner margin of the hindwing is very concave with a pointed anal angle. There is a large hyaline area capped by a much smaller one.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei female, Congo, June 18, 1958
Lepidoptera Types of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

Thierry Bouyer indicates this species is more falcate than O. luminosum, and it is darker/browner in colouration with a supplemental post discal arc. The genitalia are quite different.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei female (verso), Congo, June 18, 1958
Lepidoptera Types of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in June and August.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei larval hosts are unknown.

Orthogonioptilum fontainei 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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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 Orthogonioptilum refers to the nearly right angle at the anal angle of the forewing.

The species name is honourific for Fontaine.