DISTRIBUTION:

Dysdaemonia undulensis (forewing length: males: 54-57mm; females: probably larger) flies in
southern Bolivia: Tarija: Canadas (780m).

Dysdaemonia undulensis male, Canadas, Tarija, Bolivia, 100mm, February, 780m
from Entomo-Satsphingia 2 (1): 56 – 61 (März 2009), courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February. There may be additional flights.

Larvae probably feed upon Red silk cotton tree (Bombax ceiba), White silk cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) and Chorisia.

Dysdaemonia undulensis, undulensis described in 2009, female, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Dysdaemonia undulensis male, Canadas, Tarija, Bolivia, 104mm, February, 780m
from Entomo-Satsphingia 2 (1): 56 – 61 (März 2009), courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE: Eggs are tan coloured, flattened spheres, with a thin, dark brown, line on the lateral surface. Pupae are formed in a porous, dark brown cocoon. Larval image, copyright protected, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe. In the earlier instars, larvae are equipped with enlarged thoracic horns and an anal horn, projections which are absent in the final instar.

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

Bombax ceiba Ceiba pentandra..... Chorisia

Red silk cotton tree White silk cotton tree Chorisia

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.

I do not know the source of the genus name "Dysdaemonia" chosen by Hubner in 1819. It could be a combination meaning 'bad spirit'.

The species name "undulensis" is probably chosen for the undulating lines on the wings.

Return to Dysdaemonia Index

Return to Main Saturniidae Index

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

Support this website and visit other insect sites by clicking flashing butterfly links to left or right.

Dysdaemonia Summary, 2009

Visit Dysdaemonia Comparison Table