DISTRIBUTION:

Reinhard Foerster has sent a larval image that is either nominate brissottii or subspecies meridionalis from Misiones Province, Argentina.

This subspecies brissottii meridionalis is smaller than the nominate form, with reduced yellow spotting and more orange in the hindwings.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis male, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
February 16, 2009, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis female, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
February 16, 2009, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis in copula, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
February 17, 2009, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are possibly two Citheronia brissotii meridionalis broods annually with moths on the wing in February and then possibly again in June-July.

Larvae feed on Prunus persica, and they have been reared on Ligustrum japonicum in captivity.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Moths eclose from subterranean pupae.

Females call in the males with an airbourne pheromone and most activity occurs in the early morning hours from 1:00 to 3:00 am.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Larvae are drab olive green with a paler subspiracular line. Pupation is underground in a small cell. Paired thoracic "horns" on second and third segments are long and conical as is single "horn" at rear. They become yellow and are then tipped with black. Otherwise scoli are yellow.

Citheronia brissottii meridionalis fifth instar, Misiones, Argentina,
courtesy of Reinhard Foerster

The image above is either C. b. brissottii or C. b. meridionalis.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis fifth instar, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
December 29, 2008, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis fifth instar, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
february 2, 2009, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

Citheronia brissotii meridionalis by Claude Lemaire,
on my home computer only.

Larval Food Plants

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.

Ligustrum japonicum ....... Prunus persica

Japanese privet Peach

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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.

The source of the genus name "Citheronia" is probably Mount Citheron (Greek mythology), an untamed wilderness, exempt from the laws of civilization. The goddesses go naked there and are free from any of the pressures of society.

The species name "brissottii" is honourific for a man named Brissotti or Brissott.

The subspecies name "meridionalis" perhaps?? indicates 'central' Argentina.

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