DISTRIBUTION:

Schausiella subochreata (wingspan: males: 86-89mm; females: 110-113mm) flies in
Colombia: Choco and Meta (ARA) and probably Guaviare, Guainia, Putamayo, Caqueta, Vaupes and Amazonas;
The Canal Zone (Cabima) of Panama: ;
Venezuela: Bolivar and Monagas;
Guyana: Omai;
Suriname: Maroewym Valley and Aroewarwa Creek; Brokopondo: Brownsberg;
French Guiana: Saint-Jean-du-Maroni, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, Kaw;
Brazil: Para, Amazonas, Bahia, Mato Grosso and Sao Paulo; and
Ecuador: Napo.

Thibaud Decaens reports them from Nor Yungas (La Paz) Bolivia, and they are also reported in Paraguay: Concepcion and Amambay (SR).

There is no white spot on the dorsal metathorax, and the antemedian and postmedian lines are very faint, sometimes not noticeable.

Schausiella subochreata pair, Nor Yungas, Bolivia, courtesy of T. Decaëns & G. Lecourt.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Schausiella subochreata moths are on the wing from late March, April to June. Johan van't Bosch reports a July 8, 2011, flight in Brownsberg, Brokopondo, Suriname.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
April 7, 2011, courtesy of Andres Urbas.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
March 31, 2011, courtesy of Andres Urbas.

The absence of white on the metathorax, very pale markings on the forewings, and greyish-brown outer margins of the hindwings helped to distinguish the French Guiana specimens above from Schausiella polybia which flies in the same area: Kaw.

Schausiella subochreata male, Brownsberg. Brokopondo, Suriname,
July 8, 2011, courtesy of Johan van't Bosch.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Schausiella subochreata moths attract the more colourful males at night with an airborrne pheromone. This scent is distributed into the wind from a structure extended from the tip of the abdomen.

Males fly into the wind in a zigzag fashion and use their antennae, bipectinate for the basal two-thirds, to locate the "calling" females.

This male antennae structure is definitive for the Ceratocampinae.

Females begin their ovipositing flights at dusk after mating the previous night.

Schausiella subochreata courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id and digital reair by Bill Oehlke.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id and digital reair by Bill Oehlke.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id and digital reair by Bill Oehlke.

Schausiella subochreata male, French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id and digital reair by Bill Oehlke.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Typical of most Ceratocampinae, the eggs are slightly flattened, yellow and translucent.

After just a few days, the developing embryos can be seen through the egg shells. Incubation time of eight days is typcial.

Larvae emerge with well developed thoracic spikes and thrash about when disturbed. Packaging within the egg shell must be quite efficient to allow for such magnificent development.

The spines practically disappear in the final instar and larvae become very chunky. Larvae descend tree trunks and excavate subterranean chambers in which to pupate.

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.

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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 "Schausiella" is probably ?? honourific for Schaus.

The species name "subochreata" probably ?? refers to the red-ochre colouration of this species.