DISTRIBUTION:

Usta terpsichore yaere (wingspan: males: 75-85mm; females: 82-90mm) flies in Africa, possibly in Yaere, in the floodpains of the Chari and Logone Rivers of northern Cameroon at elevations of approximately 280m.

Philippe Darge indicates specimens have been taken in Yagoua, Ribao and Hossere Faourou in Cameroon. It may also fly in northeastern Nigeria and southwestern Chad. Based on the image at the top of the page, it appeasr it also flies in Senegal.

In his June 1994 paper, Darge indicates this moth should be classified as a subspecies of subangulata and not as a subspecies of terpsichore.

Thierry Bouyer retains it as a subspecies of terpsichore in his 1995 catalog.

On the forewing, the outer band is dark but is hardly distinguished from the dense covering of dark scales which extend to the postmedian line, obscuring it. The eyespots are large and oval.

The hindwing also has large oval eyespots and a large dark border.

Until scientific revisions get published, it seems this moth will most often be placed in synonymity with Usta terpsichore.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The Usta terpsichore yaere moth probably flies in February-March and in June (PD) -July (PD) and again in September (PD) -October.

Larvae probably prefer Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and Corkwoods (Commiphora species), but likely also accept California Peppertree (Schinus molle) and Chinaberry (Melia azedarach).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults pair at night.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Small eggs are deposited in one cluster on a hostplant twig.

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.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the possible?? foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Commiphora caryaefolia..... Commiphora woodii Melia azedarach Schinus molle Sclerocarya birrea Sclerocarya caffra

Corkwood Forest Corkwood Chinaberry California peppertree Marula Sclerocarya

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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 Usta means "burnt" in Latin.

The species name "terpsichore" is that of the Greek muse of dancing, Terpsichore.

I do not know the reason for the subspecies name, "yaere", but there is a place in northwestern Cameroon known as Yaere, which may be a specimen type locality.