DISTRIBUTION:

Caio witti (wingspan: males: mm; females: approx. mm) flies in
Mexico; and
Guatemala: Alta Verapaz, 15.4, -90.29, collected by Rudloff, 2001-07-04. Mirror

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in Guatemala in July. Larvae probably feed on Bombacopsis quinatum, Floss silktree (Chorisia) and Basswood (Tilia). Franz Ziereis reports larvae feed on Tilia occidentalis.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Leroy Simon provides the following images from a location near Mexico/Guatemala border.

Caio witti, first instars, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico,
near Mexico/Guatemala border, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Caio witti, second instar and discarded skin, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico,
near Mexico/Guatemala border, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Caio witti, third instar, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico,
near Mexico/Guatemala border, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Caio witti, fourth instar, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico,
near Mexico/Guatemala border, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Caio witti, fifth instar, Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico,
near Mexico/Guatemala border, courtesy of Leroy Simon

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Bombacopsis quinatum ....... Chorisia Tilia Tilia cordata Tilia occidentalis

Pochote/Spiny Cedar Floss silktree Basswood/Lime/Linden Small-leaved Lime/Linden West Lime

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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.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

Caio, most often called Caligula, is one of the two heirs indicated by Tiberio in his will. Caligula was elected Emperor, ruled for a short time and fell victim to a conspiracy. He was murderd for his cruelty to the people.

The species name, witti, is honourific for Witt, probably Thomas.

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