DISTRIBUTION:

Mexicantha arellanoi (forewing length: males: 25-29mm; females: 32mm // wingspan: males: 47-53mm; females: 62mm) flies in
Mexico: Guerrero: Cruz Ocote, near Omiltemi, at elevations near 1900-2450m.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Thus far (2014) specimens have been taken in (probably May, 2016) June and July. There are possibly additional flight months, but high elevation may limit this species to a single annual generation.

Larval hosts are unknown, but, based on information from Bernhard Wenczel, it is expected they can be readed on bamboo.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING

Mexicantha arellanoi female, Cruz Ocote, Guerrero, Mexico,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Mexicantha arellanoi PT female, 62mm, near Omiltemi, Guerrero, Mexico,
June 2013, 1950m, on my home computer only

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Typical of the Hemileucinae, larvae have urticating spines.

Larvae will probably accept bamboo.

Mexicantha arellanoi sixth instar, Mexico,
on bamboo, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Mexicantha arellanoi sixth instar, Mexico,
on bamboo, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Mexicantha arellanoi seventh instar, Mexico,
on bamboo, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Bernhard Wenczel has sent me a series of additional images of Mexicantha arellanoi as seventh instar larvae.

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.

Phyllostachis ....... (BW)

Bamboo

Return to Mexicantha Genus

Return to 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.

The genus name Mexicantha was possibly chosen for a similarity to the Catacantha genus, and a type from Mexico.

The species name "arellanoi" is honourific for collector Hector Jose Arellano Garcia.

Mexicantha arellanoi HT male (verso), 52mm, near Omiltemi, Guerrero, Mexico,
June 2013, 1950m, on my home computer only

Mexicantha arellanoi PT female (verso), 62mm, near Omiltemi, Guerrero, Mexico,
June 2013, 1950m, on my home computer only