DISTRIBUTION:

Adeloneivaia orientoandensis (approximate wingspan: males: 81mm; females: larger) flies in
Peru: Amazonas; Madre de Dios; and
Ecuador: Napo: Pununo, at elevations from 500-1200m.

This species is very similar to other recently (2011 Brechlin & Meister) described or elevated species as well as to Adeloneivaia jason:
Adeloneivaia cayennsis from French Guiana: Cayenne; Kaw; 80-290m;
Adeloneivaia orientoandensis from Peru: Amazonas; Madre de Dios; and from Ecuador: Napo; at 500-1200m; possibly also French Guiana
Adeloneivaia leopoldina from Brazil: Espirito Santo;
Adeloneivaia kawiana from French Guiana: Kaw;
Adeloneivaia orientoboliviana from Bolivia: Chuquisaca; at 1180-1480m
Adeloneivaia jaustralica from Bolivia: La Paz; Santa Cruz; and from Peru: Amazonas; Madre de Dios; Junin; and from Ecuador: Napo; Pastaza; 800-2000m
Adeloneivaia jamazonica from Peru: Amazonas; San Martin; Cusco, probably Junin (WO?); 800-3200m; 66-72mm
Adeloneivaia nigripuncta from Nicaragua: Jinotega;
Adeloneivaia jason from Mexico: Oaxaca.

For some species, ranges may be much more extensive than indicated above.

Based on the single image of a male Adeloneivaia orientoandensis in the Entomo Satsphingia journal, I offer the following description of that specimen. I do not know how consistent these characters would be in a series of specimens.

The solid grey-yellow basal area is separated from the light yellow-orange median area by dark slightly concave, dark am line. The cell spot is a small white dot with a dark outline. The subterminal and terminal areas are yellow-orange, tinged with a light suffusion of grey, otherwise concolourous with the median area, devoid of lilac/lavender scaling. The outer margin is slightly convex, simlar only to Adeloneivaia orientoboliviana from Bolivia: Chuquisaca.

The very slightly apical pm line is runs straight toward the center of the inner margin, turning only slightly toward the anal angle as it nears the inner margin.

This species is very similar to A. jason, but I believe jason is more yellowish than orange, and that jason has a forewing outer margin that is very slightly s-shaped with a slight outward projection just before the anal angle.

The species name, orientoandensis is indicative of specimen type location on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Adeloneivaia orientoandensis fly in . There are probably additional flight months, and this moth probably broods continuously.

Adeloneivaia orientoandensis female, Yasuni National Park (Napo), Ecuador,
October 1, 2003, courtesy/copyright Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson.

Adeloneivaia jaustralica female, Peru, possibly A. orientoandensis
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id and digital repair by Bill Oehlke

Adeloneivaia "unknown" male, Yasuni National Park (Napo), Ecuador,
October 1, 2003, courtesy/copyright Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson.

Adeloneivaia orientoandensis male, 81mm, Amazonas, Peru,
on my home computer only.

I had originally placed the Adeloneivaia unknown male above on the A. jason page, because it resembles A. jason more than any of the other Adeloneivaia species, known at the time, but the convex forewing outer margin and the am line, almost parallel to the pm line, are not usually characteristic of A. jason. Perhaps it is a natural hybrid between jason and I would guess acuta. I notice, however, that the two females originally depicted on the jason page, show considerable variation regarding the intersection of the am line and the costa. I had written, "Perhaps the unknown male and the lower female are a similar but undescribed species."

Regarding my comments and the images in question, several experienced lepidopterists were asked to comment.

Carlos G. C. Mielke writes, "The male and female of Adeloneivaia are correctly placed (as jason). The convex margin is unusual, but it happens within the species, also the am line in the female can be considered as a variation. Generally, genitalia in Adeloneivaia works well, so to better clear that, a morphology would be nice."

Kirby Wolfe writes, "A. jason is quite variable, and this yellow bug couldn't be any other thing. I haven't seen that exact morph, but it is similar to females that I have seen. Some populations of this species are practically unrecognizable."

Based on recent, 2011, publication by Brechlin and Meister, I am now almost certain the Adeloneivaia depicted above is Adeloneivaia orientoandensis, (Bill Oehlke), and I will place it on that page (male and female from Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adult Adeloneivaia orientoandensis emerge from pupae, and males are smaller than females.

Mating probably begins shortly after dusk with a likely calling period from 10:30 pm. to 1:00 am.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Night-flying females lay translucent eggs on host plant leaves.

Larvae pupate underground in small chambers.

Care of larvae and pupae should be as for any Neotropical species.

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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