DISTRIBUTION:

The Erythromeris obscurior moth (wingspan: males: 67-81mm; females: 72-82mm) flies in
eastern Ecuador: Imbabura and Cotopaxi, at high elevations (3500m), and northwestern Napo Province.

Examination of genitalia may be needed to distinguish this species from E. flexilineata. Lemaire indicates it is darker and smaller than flexilineata, and may be quite restricted in its range.

I was not completely sure (now am) the moths are distinct despite Lemaire's description of differences in the genitalia.

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. Racheli and Racheli also indicate a presence in Imbabura.

Erythromeris obscurior male, Papallacta, Napo Province,
March 22, 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

March 30, 2007, Horst writes, "Last week I have been seven times to high altitude (3500 m ) just to get the Erythromeris specimens. It's a great sacrifice to stay up there in the cold and rain, sometimes for not even one specimen. In all these seven trips I got four males. Females I have never seen until today; I think they aren't attracted to the light. Males fly only about half an hour from 19:00h to 19:30h. I never saw them on the wings after that time!!"

Erythromeris obscurior, Papallacta, Napo Province,
March 23, 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Erythromeris obscurior female, Papallacta, Napo Province, Ecuador
April 10, 2008, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Adults are on the wing in January in Cotopaxi province and in March-April in northwestern Napo Province.

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

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. Scenting apparently takes place at approximately 19:00 - 19:30 hours.

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 "obscurior" refers to the darker ground colouration as compared to E. flexilineata.