DISTRIBUTION:

Dirphia lemoulti (wingspan: males: 70-72-97(AC)mm; females: 106-120-139(AC)mm) flies in tropical rain forests in
French Guiana: Roura, Kaw, Cayenne, Regina, Coralie, Kourou, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, Saint-Jean-du-Maroni; and
Venezuela: Bolivar; and probably in Suriname and Guyana.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in January-February, April-May and November-December, suggesting at least three broods annually. Larval hosts are unknown.

Dirphia lemoulti female, 97mm??, Kaw, French Guiana,
November, 2010, courtesy of Alex Cahurel.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Dirphia lemoulti courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Dirphia lemoulti female (French Guiana), courtesy of Carlot Didier.

Dirphia lemoulti female, 139mm??, Kaw, French Guiana,
November, 2010, courtesy of Alex Cahurel.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are 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.

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The following image(s) may or may not appear on your monitor, depending upon whether or not I get permission from respective photographers/owners to display them. I do have permission for my own private use.

Dirphia lemoulti male, Kaw, French Guiana,
November 24, 1998, collection of Bruno Penin, photo copyright Rene Lahousse,
French Guiana Systematique.

Dirphia lemoulti male, Kaw, French Guiana,
November 16-30, 1998, collection of A. Le Flao, photo copyright Rene Lahousse,
French Guiana Systematique.

Dirphia lemoulti male, Kaw, French Guiana,
April 2005, collection of Rodolphe Rougerie, photo copyright Rene Lahousse,
French Guiana Systematique.