Kenya
On May 21, 2007, Thierry indicated to me that those moths in Tanzania previously thought to be Aurivillius fuscus are actually Aurivillius orientalis which flies in Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya.
Kenya, slightly more than twice the size of Nevada, lies about the Equator in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
The climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior. Low coastal plains rise to central highlands bisected by the Great Rift Valley. Westward the country consists of fertile plateau. Mount Kenya, the highest point, rises to 5,199 m and is partially covered in glaciers.
Kenya is plagued by recurring droughts and then flooding during the rainy season. Deforestation may pose a problem for Saturniidae.
Unfortunately government corruption is widespread as is the harvesting of small plots of marijuana. Kenya is also a transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America. Packages sent from Kenya to the United States or Canada would likely be inspected by Customs officials, but there should be no problem with shipments of dead Saturniidae coming from Kenya.
Argema besanti, however, may be a protected species.
Below is an active checklist for Kenya.
Bunaea alcinoe, Nairobi, Kenya, courtesy of Bob Grosek,
digitally restored by Bill Oehlke.
Gonimbrasia zambesina zambesina male, Kenya, Arabuko Sokoke Forest,
coastal southeastern Kenya, courtesy of Mike Jordan.
Lobobunaea kuehnei holotype male,
Kakamega, southwestern Kenya, courtesy of
Stefan Naumann,
digital repair by Bill Oehlke.
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