DISTRIBUTION:

Mexicantha garciorum (forewing length: males: 21-22mm; females: 27-28mm // wingspan: males: 40mm; females: 53mm) flies in
Mexico: Oaxaca: San Jose del Pacifico, at elevations near 2480m.

Forewings are an almost uniform dull orange with heavy brown suffusions, slightly darker in the pm area. The pm line is dark brown and is inwardly lined with pale yellow.
Hindwings are a dull rose with a diffuse, slightly darker rose brown pm line.

Cell markings are concolorous with surroundings and there are no antemedian lines on any wings.

FLIGHT TIMES:

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

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING

Mexicantha garciorum female, San Jose del Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Mexicantha garciorum female, 53mm, Oaxaca, Mexico,
on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Typical of the Hemileucinae, larvae have urticating spines.

Bernhard Wenczel indicates larvae will eat Phyllostachis aurea and Phyllostachis nigra, hosts which are also utilized by Catacantha species.

Mexicantha garciorum first instar larvae, San Jose del Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico,
feeding on bamboo, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Mexicantha garciorum third instar (larger) larva, San Jose del Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico,
feeding on bamboo, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

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.

Phyllostachis aurea Phyllostachis nigra .......

Fish pole Bamboo, Golden Bamboo Black Bamboo

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

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

Mexicantha garciorum male (verso), 40mm, Oaxaca, Mexico,
on my home computer only.

Mexicantha garciorum female (verso), 53mm, Oaxaca, Mexico,
on my home computer only.