DISTRIBUTION:

The Leucanella memusae moth (wingspan: males: 59-71mm; females: 60-84mm) flies in northeastern Brazil: Para, Paraibo, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte (FO) and Distrito Federal at elevations of approximately 500-1000m.

I have added Rio Grande do Norte to the range based on the following image.

Leucanella memusae memusae fourth-fifth instars, Extremoz Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil,
April 6, 2016, courtersy of Francierlem Oliveira.

This very small species has an elongated falcate forewing (males only), pointed at the apex. The female has squarer wings, but they are still pointed at the apex.

In both sexes, the forewing basal area is the darkest region. The antemedial and postmedial lines are bordered in yellow on the facing sides, and the postmedial line is very much preapical.

The female's forewing veins stand out, marked with light grey scales from the postmedial line to the outer margin.

The hindwing eyespot has a narrow yellow outer ring.

In some males there is a highly contrasting golden median area.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February, April-August and October, suggesting three of four broods annually. Larvae 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.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Large, white, oval eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious. Urticating spines offer the Leucanella memusae larvae much protection. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

The cocoon is probably sturdy, brown, leaf-wrapped and affixed to a stem or twig.

Leucanella memusae fifth instars, Araruna, Paraiba, Brazil,
September 6, 2008, 610m, courtesy of Alexander von Buldring.

Leucanella memusae fifth instars, Araruna, Paraiba, Brazil,
September 6, 2008, 610m, courtesy of Alexander von Buldring.

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 "Leucanella" chosen by Lemaire in 1969. PERHAPS (pure speculation by Bill Oehlke) it was chosen for the "little light" spots surrounding the pupil in the type species leucane.

The species name "memusae" is probably honourific for a woman named Memusa.

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