DISTRIBUTION:

Caio romulus (wingspan: males: 136-163mm; females: 140-162mm // forewing length: males: 83.5mm; females: 89.1mm) flies in neotropical South America at elevations of 300-1200 meters above sea level.

Caio romulus, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
October 6, 2016, courtesy of Fabio Longen.

Lemaire, in his Arsenurinae 1980, states it as being endemic to
southeastern Brazil: Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana (CM), Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina: Sao Bento do Sul; Joinville; Rio Natal; Rio Vermelho; Rio Grande do Sul, and probably Parana; but the specimen depicted by V. Izersky is definitely C. romulus, indicating a (possible ??) range extension to Peru. Vladimir has indicated to me, however, that some of his range data may be in error.

There may also be populations in Bolivia, but it is more likely that this species is retricted to southeastern Brazil.

Ezequiel Osvaldo Núñez Bustos sent me a paper in August 2015 which includes Caio romulus in northeastern Argentina.

Forewings are elongate and falcate with a prominent apex. Neither sex has a hindwing "tail". The median band is relatively straight, and the double postmedian lines are smooth, not undulating, in their curves.

Caio romulus January 14, 1997, Peru doubtful, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are at least two generations annually with moths on the wing in January and February and then again in July-August and October. Caio romulus larval hosts are unknown to me.

Caio romulus (female), Brazil, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Caio romulus males use antennae to seek out females which scent at night. Moths do not come in to lights readily, but when they do activity is from 12:30 - 2:30 am.

Caio romulus male, courtesy of Hubert Mayer copyright.

Caio romulus male, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
October 1, 2014, courtesy of Enio Branco.

Caio romulus male, verso, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
October 1, 2014, courtesy of Enio Branco.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

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.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

Caio, most often called Caligula, is one of the two heirs indicated by Tiberio in his will. Caligula was elected Emperor, ruled for a short time and fell victim to a conspiracy. He was murderd for his cruelty to the people.

Romulus and Remus were twins. Romulus is credited with founding the city of Rome and establishing its early boundaries. He killed his brother for mocking his authority.