Hylesia chirex Schaus, 1921, Guatemala;
H. euphemia Dyar, 1913, Mexico;
H. rosex Bouvier, 1930, are all synonymous with Hylesia continua continua.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Hylesia, Hubner, [1820]

MIDI MUSIC "Someone to Watch Over Me" copyright C. Odenkirk MIDI CITY ON.OFF <bgsound src="watch.mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION:

Hylesia continua continua (wingspan: males: 32-42mm; females: 53-60mm) flies in
Mexico: Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Tabasco, Quintana Roo;
Belize: Cayo;
Guatemala: Izabal;
and Honduras: Cortes, Atlantida, Comayagua, Olancho, Lempira;
at elevations from 200m to 1500m.

Moths can be either brown of pinkish-brown.

I am pretty sure the Dan Janzen images on this page are of Hylesia continua alinda from Costa Rica, based on geography, and a slightly more elongate forewing with a produced apex.

Hylesia continua male, Nayarit, Mexico, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

I am pretty sure the following images form Xico, Veracruz, Mexico, are Hylesia continua continua.

Hylesia continua continua, Xico, Veracruz, Mexico,
May 1, 2006, courtesy of James Buddenhagen.

Hylesia continua continua, Xico, Veracruz, Mexico,
May 1, 2006, courtesy of James Buddenhagen.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Hylesia continua continua larvae feed on oak and on an Annona species.

There are probably at least three generations each year with moths on the wing in February-March and May-June-July-August and October-November-December.

Hylesia continua female probably subspecies alinda courtesy of Dan Janzen.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

Hylesia continua probably subspecies alinda male courtesy of Dan Janzen.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters and larvae are highly gregarious, especially in the early instars. These first instar larvae courtesy of Dan Janzen are orange with black heads. Their oily appearance reminds me of Anisota virginiensis.

These second instar larvae feed gregariously at leaf tips, often at the end of a branch. Only the heavier central leaf stems are unconsumed. Thoracic scoli are becoming longer relative to other body spines.

Urticating spines offer the Hylesia continua larvae much protection. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

I do not know if birds prey on these larvae, but the well developed branching spines suggest a very unpleasant trip down the esophagus.

Hylesia continua continua larva, Nayarit, Mexico, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

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 Quercus .......

Annona Oak

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

Return to Hylesia Index

Goto Mexico and Central American Saturniidae Directory

Goto South American 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 Hylesia.

I do not know the origin of the species name continua.

Support this website and visit other insect sites by clicking flashing butterfly links to left or right.

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