DISTRIBUTION: Syssphinx paracolla (wingspan: males: mm; females: mm // forewing length: males: 39-41mm; females: probably larger) flies in Mexico: Chiapas: Santa Domingo, 480m. FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: Moths are on the wing in June and probably in other months. Anticipated natural hosts are Acacia, Mimosa and Leucaena. ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING: These moths come in to lights so it is expected that scenting and mating also take place after dark. EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE: Eggs are probably green and translucent and are probably deposited in short rows of four to eight on foliage or stems. Caterpillar development can be seen through the eggshell. Larvae are gregarious in early instars and have enlarged thoracic scoli with metalic markings that reflect light on the abdominal scoli. The natural conditions of a hot, humid environment should be used to rear larvae. Larvae descend hostplants at maturity to pupate in deeply excavated (up to six inches) subterranean chambers. 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. Acacia angustissima........ Acacia baileyana Leucanaea pulverulenta Robinia pseudoacacia Prairie acacia Bailey's acacia Giant leadtree Black locust/false acacia Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page. Return to Syssphinx Genus Goto Mexican and Central American Saturniidae Directory Goto Main Saturniidae Index includes North America 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 "Syssphinx" was probably chosen for the similarity of these moths (wing shape and resting position) to moths in the Sphingidae family. The species name "paracolla" is to indicate a close similarity to S. colla.