ALMEIDELLA OF THE WORLD

Note, the quasi-elliptical shape of the forewings is present in both sexes (two males above). The females have simple antennae. The forewing discal spot is very small, and a specific median line is indiscernible.

Almeidella belong to the Subfamily Ceratocampinae of the Family Saturniidae.

Eggs are translucent and the developing larvae can be seen through the egg shells.

Like all the Ceratocampinae, the larvae are well-endowed with long thoracic "horns" which tend to diminish relative to body size as the larvae progress through successive moults.

Almeidella ??? larva, Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
November 9, 2021. courtesy of Wolfgang Walz.

The identity of the larva directly above is in question. Wolfgang Walz indicates it is a Scolesa (nebulosa?) species while Ryan St. Laurent indicates it is an Almeidella species. I do not have larval images of any Almeidella or Scolesa species for comparison, nor do I have written descriptions of such larvae. I believe Pedro Leopoldo is in cerrado habitat, which is more likely home to some of the Scolesa species, but I am not at all sure. Help would be appreciated.

Update: Ryan St. Laurent is sure it is an Almeidella species, and I have requested documentation from him if it is available. Ryan has also indicated he thinks it is most likely Almeidella corrupta, so I will also add the image to the corrupta file.

Mature larvae descend trees to pupate in subterranean chambers.

These moths fly in South America.

P indicates a photograph is available.

Almeidella almeidai M: 70-78mm; F: 86mm Brazil: Rio de Janeiro; Sao Paulo; Santa Catarina Bar along fw costa is brighter orangey-brown with less speckling than in approximans

Almeidella approximans M: 51-72mm; F: 68-90mm Brazil: Parana; Santa Catarina Bar along fw costa is darker red-brown with more dark speckling than in almeidai Small white cell dot present in both almeidai and approximans often obscure in corrupta

Almeidella corrupta M: 58-75mm; F: 84-88mm Brazil: Rio de Janeiro; Parana; Sao Paulo; Santa Catarina; Rio Grande do Sul; probably Minas Gerais Paraguay: Itapua Lacks bar along costa Heavy dark grey speckling on almost uniform grey-brown gc Cell mark often obscure

The first country listed is the type locality.

Listing of Almeidella

P almeidai Oiticica, 1946 southeastern Brazil
P approximans (Schaus, 1921) Brazil
P corrupta (Schaus, 1913) southeastern Brazil; Paraguay.

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