DISTRIBUTION:

The Lemaireia luteopeplus moth flies in India

(Etymology: The new species is externally very similar to L. chrysopeplus from Sundaland. The names of this species and its subspecies aureopeplus resemble the name of this earlier described species: chrysos [Greek] = gold; luteum [Latin] = yellow; aureum [Latin] = gold; in all cases the second part of the name is peplum [Latin] = a splendid cape or mantle.)

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 naessigi 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 luteopelus male, Khasia Hills, Assam, India,
Bernard d'Abrera

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae possibly feed on Liquidambar styraciflua and Rhus typhina.

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 styraciflua...... Rhus typhina

Sweetgum Staghorn sumac

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