DISTRIBUTION:

Catacantha latifasciata (wingspan: males: 34mm; females: 38mm // forewing length: males: 17-20mm; females: 20-24mm) flies in
Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul, Goias, Minas Gerais and Parana in south central Brazil at elevations of 1000-3000m.

Visit Catachantha Genus Comparison Plate

FLIGHT TIMES:

There are probably two or three broods annually with Catacantha latifasciata moths on the wing in January-February, again in (June-July ??), and then again in October-December.

Catacantha latifasciata female, 38mm, Parana, Brazil,
October, 1953, courtesy of Cornell University Collection, via Ryan Saint Laurent.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The slightly larger female begins "calling" after 10:00 pm. Smaller males fly into the wind to detect the scent and track the stationary female.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Typical of the Hemileucinae, larvae have urticating spines. Larval hosts are unknown at this time.

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.

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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 Catacantha, but it may be for the downward (cata) turn of the rami and the bristles (cantha = thorn) on the rami.

I suspect the species name "latifasciata" refers to the forwewing postmedial line, which creates a relatively "wide - stripe/band", running parallel to the outer margin as opposed to the more oblique lines characteristic of other members of this genus.