Hi All,
This newsletter covers updates from January 16, 2009 to February 14, 2009.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sorry for the long delay in these announcements:
Horst Kach's image of Copiopteryx semiramis andensis was the individual photo winner for 2007; I chose Viktor Siniaev's image of Archaeosamia watsoni as the individual winner for 2008.
Horst Kach was also chosen as contributor of the year for 2008, and Leroy Simon was chosen as contributor of the year for 2007. Larry Silenius's image of a Procitheronia principalis larva is the winner for 2008, and Kirby Wolfe's Nudaurelia krucki is the winner for 2007. I wIll announce the other winners shortly (before the end of the month).
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Please visit the Voluntary Dues entry on the main page.
Many thanks to those who sent dues for 2007 and beyond and to those who have sent dues for 2008 and beyond. I will be creating and sending out complimentary access to caterpillars Too! to those paying the volumtary dues, and will also advise/provide them with access to some advanced pages on WLSS as well as direct links to thumbnail sphingidae checklists (larvae and adult) for their respective counties.
I have been in contact with Erich Bauer and will be purchasing some additional references to support the site.
I have also invested in a battery backup surge protector, and I had to replace the internal power supply in my computer. I have had to rely on friends and neighbours and a finicky old computer system to try to keep up with correspondence, and have about five days worth of sales to update and many images to post.
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Hemileuca maia diapausing eggs from Pennsylvania are available for US destinations. Eggs should be kept cool (refrigerated) until spring.
one dozen eggs and shipping are $11.00 US.
two dozen eggs and shipping are $14.00 US.
three dozen eggs and shipping are $17.00 US.
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The following livestock is still available:
Actias luna at $4.00 US/cocoon;
Automeris cecrops pamina at $5.50/cocoon (sold out);
Hyalophora cecropia at $6.00 US/cocoon.
I anticipate having some Eacles oslari pupae (sold out), available in pairs at $16.00/pair and single males at $7.00/pupa (sold out). These are expected in late January and will be assessed at that time.
Bonnie has advised me that some nice Antheraea polyphemus have arrived. They are available at $4.25/cocoon plus shipping and handling.
Some nice Eacles imperialis imperialis are expected from Georgia later this week (probably around Valentine's Day). They will be assessed and will probably be available at $14.00/pair. There are some extra male pupae at $6.00 each.
Butterflies:
Papilio (Pterourus) troilus at $4.25;
If there is interest, I may be able to obtain some additional Papilio (Pterourus) glaucus at $4.25. Let me know if you are interested.
One shipping and handling fee of $8.00 to US destinations; more if overseas. Sorry, I am completely sold out in Canada except for some small Hyalophora euryalus/kasloensis cocoons from British Columbia. Cocoons are $5.50 US or $6.00 Canadian. They are with me here in Canada so are only available in Canada or overseas. If there is any demand, I can probably bring in some additional black swallowtails from Quebec. They would be available in Canada at $5.50 Canadian plus shipping
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A WLSS member is looking for cocoons of Agapema homogena or Eupackardia Calleta. He writes, "Regarding Agapema homogena it should be in our area, but we have never found them. If you have any specific information about this species in Colorado it would be helpful. We are willing to buy the cocoons or trade for Hyalophora Columbia gloveri cocoons."
Please send me an email if you can help with this request (information or desired species).
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Minetti Robert sells papered specimens. He has recently sent me many images of spread specimens from Zambia: Nudaurelia macrothyris male and female, Pseudobunaea epithyrena natalensis male, Lobobunaea falcatissima male, Lobobunaea saturnus male, Pseudobunaea callista male, . Minetti's email is on his credits page, linked from his images.
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Vernon Brou of Louisiana writes:
"Hope you are doing well. You are welcome to link this page http://entomology.lsu.edu/lsam/Brou.htm. I don't have a site, but the crew at Louisiana State University Baton Rouge (Louisiana State Arthropod Museum) have gotten around to making this page for me. I have been a donor of specimens to the collection there since 1971. I have 7-8 light traps going here on my 10 acres. Took an Amphion floridensis in January and the first Actias luna appeared in my traps 2 nights ago (February 10). Actually, the spring moths, beetles, and other insects are filling the traps on warmer nights between cold fronts. Usually, March 1st here marks the big spring onslought of moths. Hope 2009 is a good one for you."
There are many excellent articles in pdf format regarding Lousiana Saturniidae, Sphingidae, Catocala, other moths and butterflies and other insects available on the link posted above.
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Vladimir Izersky has sent some nice images of Saturniidae from Rio Venado, Junin, Peru: Arsenura rebeli female, Automerina caudatula male (slight range extension and elevation increase), Automeris denticulata female, ;
He also sends this unidentified flying object. I do not think it is a saturnid. Help with identification would be apreciated.
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Jean Michel Maes from Nicaragua is a WLSS member who has shared many images and much data to enhance the WLSS. He is also a stamp collector. Jean-Michel writes:
Dear Friends,
You may remember that I am an entomologist. My hobbies include also Philately, entomo-philately to be more specific, I collect stamps and covers with insect topic. Classically the collection includes stamps and letters with stamps on insects, but lately I am trying to collect letters where the insect is in the illustration of the cover, not only on the stamps. In this way I am looking for your help.
If your company, organization or institution has an insect in the logo, I would be glad to have you send me a letter. In that way I will have a cover, a letter, with an insect logo, to put in my collection. So far, I have a couple of bees from banks, a longhorn from a library, a goliath beetle from an insect dealer, a couple of butterflies from museums, but my guess is that there are many more institutions with insects logo.
Sincerely,
Jean-Michel.
My postal adress is:
Dr. Jean-Michel Maes
Museo Entomológico de León
A.P. 527
León
NICARAGUA
tel 505-3116586
cel 505-48-11-351
jmmaes@ibw.com.ni
jmmaes@bio-nica.info
jmmaes@yahoo.com
jmmaes@walla.com
www.bio-nica.info (main page in spanish)
http://360.yahoo.com/jmmaes
http://www.ibw.com.ni/u/jmmaes (pequeña pagina de contacto)
http://espanol.groups.yahoo.com/group/MEL-Info/ (lista de anuncios - puede inscribirse si le parece)
www.avesnicaragua.org (aves)
http://www.coleoptera.org/p1760.htm (Lucanidae genera)
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Nigel Venters is now living in Argentina. he has just sent very nice images of spread Copaxa flavina miranda and Rothschildia condor, with data.
Nigel also sends Sphingidae images, and among the recent ones is an image of the rare Manduca bergamatipes, not previously depicted on Sphingidae of the Americas. Nigel has also sent images of Sphinx maura, Manduca bergi and Xylophanes schreiteri.
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Darrell Gulin has just sent me a stunning image of a Hyalophora euryalus male as well as images of H. c.columbia, H. c. gloveri and Hyalophora cecropia.
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Nathan Boob has sent beautiful images of the hybrid Citheronia regalis x Citheronia splendens sinaloensis larvae that he reared in 2008. They are posted in the hybrid section.
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Anatolij Kulak has just sent an image of an aberrant Brahmaea certhia from China, as well as beautiful images of live male and females of Rhodinia rudloffi sinensis. I will post them shortly.
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Chris Conlan has recently sent me images of species and/or stages not previously depicted on WLSS:
Automeris fieldi final instar, Ecuador;
Automeris submacula final instar, Paraguay;
Automeris basalis live male and female and final instar, Paraguay;
Automeris muscula final instar, Brazil;
Pseudobunaea tyrrhena tyrrhena adult and larva, South Africa.
Chris has also sent foodplants, many of which are first time postings to WLSS.
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Dvid Mohn of Hong Kong has just sent me a beautiful image of a fifth instar Saturnia pyretorum larva. I have posted it to the S. pyretorum page, and David's email is posted on his credits page, linked from the pyretorum page. There is a good possiblility of obtaining livestock or specimens. David has subsequently sent me images of eggs and first instar larvae.
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Nathan Boob has sent images of the hybrid adults he obtained from Citheronia regalis x Citheronia splendens sinaloensis. He reports that the hybrid females carry full clutches of eggs, and he was successful in obtaining hybrid pairings, getting a high egg hatch rate, and he now has diapausing "pure" hybrid pupae. It will be interesting to see the results.
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Visit Ben Halpin's website at http://www.halpinsrocks.com
"Halpin's Rocks carries good to high-quality jasper and jasp-agate from the Stony Creek area of California's Sacramento Valley. The colors of our jasper range from red, brown yellow and beige to mauves and greens. The patterns range from marbled, mottled and brecciated to poppy.
"We carry rough jasper and jasp-agate by the pound or the ton. This comes in river run and mine run material. We also carry finished material in the form of cabochons, fetishes, carvings and jewelry."
I have posted a link to Ben's site in the Members' Sidelines sectionin the Specialty Area on the opening page.
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Larry Valentine has been discovering many larvae of Saturniidae, Sphingidae and butterfies, etc., near his home in Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Some of the larvae we have been able to identify from the excellent images Larry has sent. We are fortunate that he is able to rear many of these larvae through to adult stage. He has subsequently sent me some beautiful images of the emergent moths.
Citheronia laocoon Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, courtesy of Larry Valentine.
This species is recorded in neighbouring states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, so it is not surprising that it is found in southeastern Minas Gerias.
Hyperchiria incisa incisa fifth instars, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, courtesy of Larry Valentine.
Larry has also recently sent recto and verso images of an adult Procitheronia principalis from Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
I have been working on Leroy Simon's latest DVD to me. The images are outstanding. I have posted many of them to his collection and hope to have the remainder from the most recent DVD posted by the weekend.
Recently posted are Samia ricini x Samia kohlli hybrid, Actias rhodopneuma, Actias selene, Antheraea frithi javanensis, Autmeris cecrops pamina, Automeris celata, Automeris denticulata, Automeris iris, Automeris randa, Automeris zephyria, Citheronia sepulcralis, Citheronia splendens sinaloensis, Coloradia doris, Copaxa andensis, Copaxa escalantei, Dryocampa rubicunda, Eacles masoni tyrannus, Gamelia septentrionalis, Hyalophora columbia, Othorene verana, Rothschildia cincta, Syssphinx montana, Titaea lemoulti, Titaea tamerlan amazonensis as well as many US butterflies that will be added to the caterpillars Too! website. Leroy indicates there is another DVD on the way.
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Marius Aurelian sends the following regarding the checklist I have for Saturniidae of Romania. "I was looking over the list of saturniids you have listed for Romania, and I wanted to share with you some information I have:
Aglia tau is widespread and found in 6 of the 8 historical provinces. It is currently not of concern.
Saturnia pyri and S. pavonia are found in all historical provinces and are both listed as vulnerable.
Saturnia spini is now considered extinct in Romania.
Saturnia ligurica is found in the SW and central part of the country.
Perisomena caecigena is now considered extinct in Romania.
Antherea yamamai and A. pernyi were introduced in Romania from Asia for the production of natural silk. People attempted rearing them in the wild,
however the project never took off because after 7 years since the first introduction they were all extinct, having been unable to survive harsh winters.
This info comes from Rakosy et al. (2003)."
I will update the Romania page.
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Darrell Gulin has sent very nice images of Actias luna, Actias sinensis, Actias dubernardi and Argema mimosae.
Actias dubernardi female, courtesy of Darrell Gulin
Sighting Reports
I am very interested in receiving sighting reports (date and specific location, including county/parish and state and/or province) for Saturniidae and Sphingidae throughout the year. The reports will be posted in newsletters and will also be used to update the state files and flight times.
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If you are thinking of creating a website, I heartily recommend 1 & 1 webhosting.
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Sphingidae Express
Nigel Venters has recently sent several Sphingidae images from Tafe de valle, Tucuman, Argentina, including an image of the rare Manduca bergamatipes, not previously depicted on Sphingidae of the Americas. He also sent Manduca bergi, Sphinx maura and Xylophanes schreiteri.
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Arctiidae Art
Kirby Wolfe indicates he will be sending me many electronic images of Arctiidae from Costa Rica. I will shortly begin construction of a worldwide Arctiidae site. Those who wish to contribute images of adults and/or larvae or any other stages are welcome to do so. All images that I use remain the property of respective photographers.
I do not have very much knowledge about this family. Anyone with an abiding interest and some expertise with classification, who would be willing to help with identifications is asked to please contact me by email.
This is a very large family. I probably will not have time to actively persue images and information, but I will make a concerted effort to organize and post what is sent to me.
There are some interesting/beautiful Arctiids here on Prince Edward Island, and I did rear some Lophocampa maculata here this summer.
If you begin to send images, please always indicate as much data as possible with the images: precise location, date, flight season, wingspan, foodplant, extended range, if you know it, etc.
Idalus critheus San Jose, Costa Rica, December 3, 2008, Kirby Wolfe.
Catocala Capers
Many states now have checklists and there is state by state links table on new http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/catocala.html.
Corrections, additions of data and or images would be appreciated.
I am going to expand the Catocala website to include worldwide species. I am very interested in receiving data and electronic images of European and Asian Catocala. I think there are also a couple of species in Central America.
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Caterpillars Too!, a North American butterfly website:
Leroy Simon recent submissions have been posted to this site. Personal access pages for US members will include direct links to county Sphingidae adult and larvae pictoral checklists as well as to an active state Catocala list.
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A new Coleoptera (Beetles) page is being created.
This page will be resricted to those members of WLSS who have an interest in Coleoptera (Beetles) and who are willing to have their email addresses posted there for correspondence, limited to the Coleoptera family.
This list will not be available through any search engines and will not be linked by me from any of my websites. Instead, those members who register (no charge) will be directed to an unlisted URL.
Members whose names appear on this list have agreed to use the contact information solely for the purpose of furthering their interests in Coleoptera.
Members have also agreed that they will neither post this list/page nor divulge its contents nor share its contents with others.
To have your name and email contact information posted on the Coleoptera page, send email to Bill Oehlke, indicating you agree to terms above.
N.B. This is note a Coleoptera site, just a listing of contact info for WLSS members with an interest in Coleoptera.
Two new names have been added to the Coleoptera page as of January 16, 2009.
There are also quite a few members interested in Sphingidae, so I will post special Sphingidae page under same conditions. I am also considering an African Sphingidae section if there is sufficient interest and those who can supply high quality images.
A Catocala page will also be posted.
If you wish to have your name, location, interests and email posted on the Coleoptera, Sphingidae or Catocala contacts page, please let me know.
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