DISTRIBUTION:

Callodirphia arpi (wingspan: males: 81-92mm; females; 87-100mm) is endemic to
southeastern Brazil: Minas Gerais: Itamonte; Rio de Janeiro: Nova Friburgo; Sao Paulo: Campos do Jordão; Parana; Santa Catarina: Sao Bento, at elevations between 750m and 1900m - 2000m (CM).

Callodirphia arpi male, Sao Bento, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
June, 1970, courtesy Kelly Price.

The hindwing median band varies from orange to white.

Callopdirphia arpi male, Itamonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
2000m, courtesy of Carlos Mielke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in April-May-June and again in August suggesting at least two generations annually. The new data (January and March flights) from Eurides Furtado suggests a third brood.

Larvae feed on Rapanea flocculosa in the Myrsinaceae family and have also been found on imported Eucalyptus.

Callodirphia arpi female, wingspan 95 mm, March,
Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females emit a scent during the day between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, and males fly in daylight hours into the wind and track the pheromone plume with their quadripectinate antennae.

Callodirphia arpi male, 91mm, form seitzi, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are oval with a brown micropyle. Typical of the Subfamily Hemileucinae, Callodirphia arpi gregarious larvae have urticating spines.

There are at least two colour variations: white with black "X's" on dorsum or cinnamon red with same black markings. The cocoon is just a few strands of thread holding leaves together.

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. Additional foodplants have been included from other sources.

Rapanea flocculosa....... Eucalyptus

Muttonwood ?? Eucalyptus

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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.

I do not know the origin of the genus name Callodirphia, but it could be from the Greek "kalos", meaning beautiful. I do not know the source of the genus name "Dirphia" chosen by Hubner in 1819.

The species name "arpi" is honourific for J. Arp.