DISTRIBUTION: Loepa minahassae (wingspan 85-95mm) flies in Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pulau Buton, P. Peleng, and P. Tanah Jampea. Jean-Marc Gayman reports it in Lindu Palolo, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Many of the specimens on this page are more likely of Loepa finnackermanni. Based on receipt of a large number of papered specimens in a package from south Sulawesi, I suspect this species is fairly common, and probably both males and females come to lights.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are probably on the wing from February until November as multiple broods. Cissus, grape and Virginia creeper would likely prove to be suitable hosts.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call at night. Males fly into the wind and track the pheromone plume with their sophisticated antennae.

Loepa minahassae female

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

"Thus far L. minahassae is the only species of the genus Loepa Moore, 1858, which is known for the island of Sulawesi. There are no considerable differences found in the morphology of the preimaginal instars of L. minahassae and those of other taxa of the genus Loepa. In L. minahassae the 1st instar larva is fully black colored and the 3rd instar larva bears red patches around basis of subspiracular scoli.

Loepa minahassae fourth instar, Sulawesi, courtesy of Gary Saunders.

Loepa minahassae fifth instar, Sulawesi, courtesy of Gary Saunders.

The coloration of the fresh cocoon of L. minahassae is turquoise." Ulrich Paukstadt

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.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Loepa Index

Goto Asian Pacific Saturniidae Directory

Goto Main Saturniidae Index

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 origin of the genus name "Loepa" so I do not know if the 'oe' is a dipthong or a two syllable combination.

The source of the species name, "minahassae", is also unknown to me, but it is probably indicative of a type location in the Minahassa Peninsula of northern Sulawesi, or for a woman named Minahassa.

Loepa minahassae female, Lindu Palolo, Sulawesi, Indonesia,
courtesy of Jean-Marc Gayman, on my home computer only.