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Updated as per Pinhey's Emperor Moths of South and South-Central Africa, 1972, April 25, 2006 Updated as per Bouyer's Catalogue of African Saturniidae, 1999, April 25, 2006 |
TAXONOMY:Superfamily: Bombycoidea Latreille, 1802 |
"African Midi Music" |
Usta terpsichore, Serengeti, Tanzania, late December, courtesy of David Bygott.
I only know it is one of the Usta species. In his Catalogue of African Saturnidae, Thierry Bouyer writes, "Usta terpsichore was regarded a group of related species by Darge (1994) et Terral & al. (1991). These taxa are listed here under terpsichore, as their status is not confirmed."
Larvae probably prefer Marula ( Sclerocarya birrea) and Corkwoods (Commiphora species), but likely also accept California Peppertree (Schinus molle) and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach).
Initially larvae are gregarious but become more and more solitary as they develop.
At pupation time, larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in underground chambers.
Commiphora caryaefolia.....
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Corkwood |
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 species name "terpsichore" is that of the Greek muse of dancing,
Terpsichore.
I do not know the reason for the subspecies name, "grantae", but it
may be honourific for a woman named Grant.