Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family Saturniidae Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866
Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866
Genus: Dirphia, Hubner, 1819
MIDI MUSIC
"What.A.Wonderful.World"
copyright C. Odenkirk
MIDI CITY
ON.OFF
DISTRIBUTION:
Dirphia avrilae
(wingspan: males: 98mm; females: 92-102mm) flies in Bolivar, Venezuela at 1700m.
FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:
Moths have been observed in October and December. Larvae feed upon Mangifera.
ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:
Males use highly developed antennae to locate females by tracking their airbourne pheromone plumes.
EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:
Eggs are probably laid in large clusters and larvae feed gregariously. Typical of the
Subfamily Hemileucinae, Dirphia species all have urticating spines.
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.
Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.