DISTRIBUTION:

Molippa basinoides (wingspan: males: 61-67-72mm (RSL)mm; females: 70-75mm) flies on the high plateaus in
central Brazil: Distrito Federal; Goias: Vianopolis 760m; Minas Gerais: Sete Lagoas 720m.

Distinctive features include a carmine red abdomen (dorsal), forewing suboval discal spot, narrow postmedial line and small discal streak of the hindwing.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There seem to be two peak flights in March-April and October-November, suggesting a bivoltine species.

Larvae and their hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in clusters and larvae feed gregariously. Typical of Hemileucini species, larvae have urticating spines.

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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Molippa basinoides male, Brazil,
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