DISTRIBUTION:

The Erythromeris flexilineata moth (wingspan: males: 82-91mm; females: 82-95mm) flies in high elevation cloud forests (2500-3900 m) in
eastern Colombia: Boyaca, Tolima, Caldas; and
eastern Ecuador: Morona Santiago, Loja (Horst Kach), and probably Zamora Chinchipe and Canar.

I also suspect this moth will be reported eventually from Sucumbios, Napo and Pastaza Provinces in Ecuador, perhaps at slightly lower elevations. I was not quite sure (now am) that E. flexilineata is different from E. obscurior which Lemaire described originally as a subspecies of E. flexilineata, supposedly only from Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. Lemaire, indicates, however, that the genitalia are different, and elevated E. obscurior to full species status in 1989.

This nice comparison plate from Horst Kach illustrates the differences between the two species:

Horst writes, July 7, 2006, " I'm pretty sure that both Erythromeris are not the same. I collected a few specimens (obscurior) in Oyacachi and Pappallacta, (high region just on the border between central and eastern cordillera (only 1 hour from Quito), but it's just the beginning of western Napo Province. Collecting dates are from March 20th up to April 15th. I have been there many times before and after those dates throughout the year, and I didn't catch anything more. The wingspan of E. obscurior (just 67 - 80 mm maximum) is smaller than E. flexilineata, (87 - 95 mm).

"A friend has about forty exemplares of flexilineata from Loja region and all are with the same size over 87 mm wingspan and captured between December 25 - 30. Also the rose color on the hindwings is much more pronounced in flexilineata than in obscurior.

"I'm personaly really convinced about these being two different species of Erythromeris!"

Erythromeris flexilineata is larger than the very similar Erythromeris obscurior (wingspan: males: 67-81mm; females: 72-82mm), which Lemaire indicates is darker and may be limited to Cotopaxi, Ecuador. Horst Kach indicates Erythromeris obscurior also flies in northwestern Napo province.

Erythromeris flexilineata male (verso), Loja Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken late December in Loja, Ecuador, and in January-February-March and September in other areas, suggesting at least two broods.

Larvae probably feed on Acer, Ligustrum, Platanus, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Solanum.

Erythromeris flexilineata female, Loja Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

Erythromeris flexilineata female (verso), Loja Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.

Urticating spines offer the Erythromeris saturniata larvae much protection.

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.

Acer Ligustrum Platanus orientalis Robinia pseudoacacia....... Solanum tuberosum Solanum variabile

Maple Privet Oriental sycamore Black locust/False acacia Potatoe Nightshade

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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.

I do not know the origin of the genus name Erythromeris, but the prefix "erythro" is from the Greek, meaning "red", probably refering to the reddish scaling of the hindwings, especially prominent in the specimen type, E. saturniata.

I suspect (don't know) the species name "flexilineata" refers to the lunulate forewing pm line.