DISTRIBUTION:

Orthogonioptilum neoprox (wingspan: males: 49-65mm; females: 77-83mm) flies in southern and central Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea including Bioko.

The wings and body are a yellow-tawny brown, usually less reddish and less contrasting than O. prox. The underside is a uniform yellowish-brown, hardly ever reddish-brown.

The apex is rounded.

This moth is practically identical to Orthogonioptilum prox in outward appearance, and examination of genitalia is required for positive identification.

The forewing is fairly falcate. The fw anal angle is always greater than ninety degrees. Each wing has one or more small "points 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 that are very close, all reported from the same general area. Perhaps over time this will all get sorted out." Bill Oehlke

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in March, May-June and October-November.

Orthogonioptilum neoprox larval hosts are unknown.

Orthogonioptilum neoprox female, June 2006, Elone (Sud Province), Cameroon,
600m, wingspan 83mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, tentative id by Philippe Darge.

Orthogonioptilum neoprox female, June 2006, Elone (Sud Province), Cameroon,
600m, wingspan 79mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, tentative id by Philippe Darge.

The female depicted above may very well be Orthogonioptilum prox as she shows considerable red. It is very difficult to distinguish between prox and neoprox.

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 probably for the similarity to O. prox.