DISTRIBUTION:

Hylesia coex (wingspan: males: 31-38mm; females: 46-50mm) flies in semi-arid regions of
Venezuela: Distrito Federal; Carabobo; Yaracuy; and
Colombia: Cundinamarca; Meta, Cauca;at elevations from 670m to 1700m, and possibly in Costa Rica.

Hylesia caucanex is a synonym of Hylesia coex.

This moth is slightly smaller than Hylesia rex with different genitalia, different geography, and slightly more yellow scales on the male's abdomen and a lighter appearance. The median area of the forewing tends to be dull grey.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January and from June until September, suggesting at least two or three broods annually.

Larvae feed on Annona purpurea, Cassia alata and Mimosa aremosa.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen, and the night-flying males pick up and track the airbourne pheromone plume with their well-developed antennae.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters on hostplant foliage.

Hylesia coex larvae are highly gregarious and have the urticating spines typical of larvae from the Subfamily Hemileucinae.

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.

Annona purpurea ....... Cassia alata Mimosa arenosa

Soncoya Candlebrush Elegant mimosa

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