Dirphia somniculosa eximia

Dirphia somniculosa eximia
Lemaire, 1977

Dirphia somniculosa eximia, Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela,
January 12, 2006, courtesy of Phil Torres.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family Saturniidae Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866
Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866
Genus: Dirphia, Hubner, 1819

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DISTRIBUTION:

Dirphia somniculosa eximia (wingspan: males: 95-114mm; females: 130mm) flies in coastal regions of northern Venezuela at moderate elevations in the cloud forest.

The forewings tend to be more rounded than in other subspecies and the lines are narrower and less distinct. Ground colour is more uniform.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing from January-June and in November-December. This species probably broods continuously as weather permits. Larval hosts are unknown. The hindwing cell spot is dark, long and distinct.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking her airbourne pheromone plume.

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.

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