DISTRIBUTION:

I believe Jean Michel Maes now considers the Citheronia lobesis specimen taken in Nicaragua (originally listed as centralamericana) to be the nominate subspecies.

The forewing is reddish or dull greyish brown with reduced or absent yellow spots in internervular areas from A to M2. The ones depicted in Lemaire's Ceratocampinae, 1987 have even less yellow than specimen depicted above.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Citheronia lobesis centraliamericana female, by Claude Lemaire (on my home computer only).

Citheronia lobesis centraliamericana male, by Claude Lemaire (on my home computer only).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Moths eclose from subterranean pupae.

Females call in the males with an airbourne pheromone and most activity occurs in the early morning hours from 1:00 to 3:00 am.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Pupation is underground in a small cell.

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.

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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. 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.

The source of the genus name "Citheronia" is probably Mount Citheron (Greek mythology), an untamed wilderness, exempt from the laws of civilization. The goddesses go naked there and are free from any of the pressures of society.

I do not know the meaning of "lobesis" or the reason for its choice as a species name.

The subspecies name is for the location in Central America (Honduras and Nicaragua).