DISTRIBUTION:

BOLD Systems indicates Pselaphelia kitchingi (wingspan: males: 60-63mm; females: ??) flies in Tanzania: Morogoro Region, Uluguru Mountains, Bondwa Plateau, 2000 m.

There is a strong presence of greyish-white scales in the subterminal area of all wings that is not found in other Pselaphelia species except for P. mariaetheresae which flies in southern Tanzania and seems to have an even stronger presence of the greyish-white scales and a more (slightly) produced forewing apex.

Pselaphelia kitchingi, male, Tanzania,
60mm, on my home computer only.

Visit Pselaphelia Comparison Plate for identification purposes.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in December.

The Pselaphelia kitchingi caterpillar hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from subterranean pupae.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Pselaphelia kitchingi females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their highly developed antennae to track the scent plume to locate the calling females.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae leave the host plant to excavate tunnels into the earth. Pupation is in a subterranean chamber.

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. 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.

I do not know the source of Pselaphelia, but it may have something to do with the dark bar (shadow) passing below the cell in the type species gemmifera. Aphelia is the point on the orbit of a celestial body that is farthest from the sun; I think "psel" is associated with 'shadow'.

The species name kitchingi is honourific for Kitching.