DISTRIBUTION:

Dirphia carchensis (wingspan: males: 76mm; females: 10mm // Mfwl: 35-41mm; Ffwl: 54mm) flies in
western Ecuador: Carchi: Limonal-Chical; Esmeraldas: Rio Lita; probably Carchi and probably also Pichincha; at elevations of approximately 1400-2150m.

This moth is very similar to D. apeggyae, but D. carchensis has a much darker postmedian area on the forewing, without the bright white of D. apeggyae. I believe carchensis is also generally taken at higher elevations, and apeggyae is taken at or below 1000m.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in May-June and December, suggesting at least two annual broods. There are probably additional flight months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plumes.

Dirphia carchensis AT female, Limonal-Chical, Carchi, Ecuador,
100mm, 1800m, May 25, 2012, on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

White eggs with a black micropyle are laid in large clusters and larvae feed gregariously.

Typical of the Subfamily Hemileucinae, Dirphia species all have urticating spines.

The species name is indicative of a specimen type location in Carchi, Ecuador.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Cedrela odorata Crataegus oxyacantha...... Fagus sylvatica Hymenaea courbaril Malus Prunus Quercus ilex Salix

West Indian Cedar English hawthorn European Beech West Indian Locust Apple Cherry/Plum Holly/Holm oak Willow

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Dirphia Genus

Goto South American Saturniidae Directory

Goto Main Saturniidae Index