DISTRIBUTION:

Hylesia munonia (wingspan: males: 39-43mm; females: probably larger) flies
in southeastern Brazil: Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo; possibly into Parana and Santa Catarina; and into
Argentina (BOLD).

So far it is taken in locations with elevations of 850m to 900m.

Lemaire (Hemileucinae, 2002) indicates Hylesia nigricans flies in Buenos Aires and Misiones, Argentina, as well as in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Carlos Mielke reports nigricans in Parana, Brazil. This very similar, slightly larger species, Hylesia munonia, is described from Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I am not certain if the two images provided by Americo Chini from Alfredo Wagner are Hylesia nigricans or if they are Hylesia munonia, representing a slight extension of munonia's southern range. The moths in question seem a slightly better match for Lemaire's description of munonia, but geographically they are a better match for nigricans.

It is remarkable to me, as well, that the two images are of the same moth. The lighting and surroundings provide inconsistent displays in the pictures.

Hylesia nigricans male, Alfredo Wagner, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
March 26, 2016, courtesy of Americo Chini, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Hylesia nigricans male, Alfredo Wagner, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
March 26, 2016, courtesy of Americo Chini, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

The thorax is orange-brown to greyish brown. The abdomen is yellow to orange. The forewing is broad and rounded, not apically produced. The outer margin is straight. The postmedian line on the left forewing is slightly "s-shaped", thin but distinct. Note orangey-brown shading in subterminal area, contrasting purplish shade in median area and outer margin of subterminal band.

Hylesia munonia male, Argentina,
on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Larval hosta are unknown.

Specimens have been taken in March, April and May.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen, and the night-flying males pick up and track the airbourne pheromone plume with their well-developed antennae.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters on hostplant foliage.

Hylesia munonia larvae are highly gregarious and have the urticating spines typical of larvae from the Subfamily Hemileucinae.

Larval Food Plants

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 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 Hylesia.

I do not know the reason for the species name "munonia".