DISTRIBUTION:

Citheronia equatorialis (wingspan: males: 93-115mm; females: 134-143mm) flies in
western Ecuador: Pichincha, Bolivar, Canar and Imbabura (LR/JMG), and probably Carchi, Cotopaxi and Los Rios; and
western Colombia: Valle;
at elevations up to 2000m.

The specimen depicted above is from the Maquipucuna reserve (northwestern Ecuador) at 1200 m. The Maquipucuna Reserve is located in the heart of Ecuador’s cloud forest about 50 miles northwest of Quito in the Choco-Andean Rainforest Corridor on the western slopes of the Andes.

Citheronia equatorialis male, Mindo Lindo, Pichincha, Ecuador,
1700m, March 18, 2004, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Citheronia equatorialis male (verso), Mindo Lindo, Pichincha, Ecuador,
1700m, March 18, 2004, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Mindo Lindo finca is located in the midst of a secondary mountain forest near Mindo.

The specimen to the right, courtesy of Mark Gurney, is from the Tandayapa Bird Lodge. The Lodge is located in northwestern Ecuador near Quito. This is a large moth with broad internervular spots and a well marked subterminal line. The markings on the thorax and upper abdomen, and the geography greatly helped with identification of this species.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are probably at least two Citheronia equatorialis broods annually with moths on the wing in January-February-March-early April and then again probably in May-June-July. Jean-Marc Gayman reports a November flight in Imbabura, Ecuador.

Natural larval hosts are unknown, but Horst Kach is having success with both Juglans neotropica (Tocte ) and Prunus domestica.

Citheronia equatorialis female, Los Bancos, Pichincha, Ecuador,
ex ova, July 9, 2003, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Citheronia equatorialis female (verso), Mindo Lindo, Pichincha, Ecuador,
1700m, March 18, 2004, courtesy of Horst Kach.

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.

Citheronia equatotrialis female, Los Bancos (Pichincha), Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Pupation is underground in a small cell.

Citheronia equatorialis eggs, one day before hatching, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Citheronia equatorialis early instar, Lita, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Citheronia equatorialis fourth instar, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Citheronia equatorialis fifth instar, courtesy of Horst Kach.

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.

Juglans neotropica ..... Prunus domestica

Ecuador Walnut/Tropical Walnut (Tocte=fruit) Plum

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 species name "equatorialis" comes from its range near the Equator.

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.

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