DISTRIBUTION:

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus (wingspan: males: 70-72mm; females: 78-81mm) flies in
possibly Burma = Myanmar (possibly specimens earlier reported from Myanmar are nominate luteopeplus or naessigi from further south);
Thailand: Chiang Mai;
northern Vietnam: Lao Cai: Sapa: Mount Fansipan;
China: Yunnan; Guangdong; probably Guangxi;
possibly Sumatra (possibly specimens earlier reported from Sumatra are jaegeri or chrysopeplus) and
Laos: Phou Khoun Luang Prabang.

The species name derives from "luteum" [Latin] = yellow; "aureum" [Latin] = gold; in all cases the second part of the name is "peplum" [Latin] = a splendid cape or mantle.

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus female, 15 km east of Phou Khoun Luang Prabang, Laos,
May 2, 2011, courtesy of Kenichiro Nakao.

As of January 1, 2019, there are ten Lemaireia species/subspecies that are recognized by science. Two of those species, loepoides and schintlmeisteri from the loepoides group, are distinct from each other and distinct from the other eight species/subspecies in the chrysopeplus group to which Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus belongs. It is almost impossible to distinguish the species in the chrysopeplus group by outward appearance; almost always examination of genitalia or DNA barcoding is needed for a confident identification.

Although there is possibly some overlap in ranges of the chrysopeplus group members, location can greatly reduce some of the confusion. Below is a listing of the chrysopeplus group members from west to east, north to south in their respective known ranges.

Lemaireia luteopeplus luteopeplus northeastern India: Assam and possibly northern Mayanmar;
Lemaireia naessigi central to southeastern Mayanmar and central western Thailand;
Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus possibly Myanmar, northern Thailand, China: Yunnan; Guangdong; probably Guangxi; northern Laos; northern Vietnam: Lao Cai: Sapa: Mount Fansipan;
Lemaireia mediovietnama central Vietnam: Ha Tinh Province: Huong Son District: Vu Quang NP, at elevations near 900m.;
Lemaireia inexspectata southern Vietnam: Lam Dong Province: Bao Loc: Rung Cat Tien;
Lemaireia hainana China: Hainan;
Lemaireia jaegeri northern Sumatra: Aceh;
Lemaireia chrysopeplus Java; possibly Sumatra: Aceh. I think those specimens described from northern Sumatra are most likely L. jaegeri.

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus, Chiang Mai, Thailand, courtesy of John Moore.

Lemaireia luteopeplus China, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing from June-July until November.

Alan Marson reports success rearing larvae on sweetgum, Liquidambar styracifolia.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus male.

Males use well developed antennae to track the females' pheromones in the night sky.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Based on geography, I believe the larvae depicted below are L. luteopeplus aureopeplus.

Lemaireia luteopeplus eggs, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus first instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus second instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus third instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus fourth instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus fourth instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus fourth and fifth instar, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus fifth instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus fifth instar on sweetgum, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus cocoon, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lemaireia luteopeplus male, Yunnan, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Alan writes, "I have appended a series of photos of the larval stages of Lemaireia luteopeplus from Yunnan, China, which I have been rearing on Liquidambar styracifolia. Not very spectacular caterpillars really but interesting nonetheless. They are quite sociable throughout their development and when larger bind leaves together with silk to form a 'bivouac' when going through ecdysis. Hopefully photos of adults to follow later on."

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.

Liquidambar styracifolia .......

Sweetgum

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Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus (male), Thailand, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus (female), northwestern Thailand, courtesy of Bernard d'Abrera.

??Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus?? female

Lemaireia luteopeplus aureopeplus (female), Thailand, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.