DISTRIBUTION:

The Loepa oberthuri moth flies in
southeastern China: Shaanxi, Guangxi, Hunan, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Henan, and probably in neighbouring provinces.

Loepa oberthuri (male), China, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

I suspect the species is multiple brooded. There is a June flight in Sichuan, China.

Larvae feed on Mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata). Steve Kohll has reported success on Vitis vinifera, and Jurgen Vanhoudt has reported success on Salix caprea.

Loepa oberthuri (female), China, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults emerge in the early evening and fly rather weekly at night.

Females have larger bodies, fractionally finer antennae, and much more rounded and larger wings than males.

Loepa oberthuri pair (male above), Hunan Province, China, courtesy of Steve Kohll.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae are dark, have urticating hairs and light coloured triangular patches on the sides.

Steve Kohll writes, "I am sending you pictures of the life history of Loepa oberthuri, reared last year on Vitis vinifera and coming from China, Hunan Province. The picture of the cocoon is soon to be followed."

Loepa oberthuri eggs, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri first instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri first instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri second instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri third instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fourth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fourth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fresh molt fifth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fifth instars, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fifth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri fifth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri mature fifth instar, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Loepa oberthuri cocoon, China, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Visit another series of Loepa oberthuri images: eggs and larvae, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Visit another series of Loepa oberthuri images: larvae, courtesy of Jurgen Vanhoudt.

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.

Citrus reticulata ....... Salix caprea (JV) Vitis vinifera (SK)

Mandarin orange Goat willow, pussy willow, great sallow European wine grape

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