The Entomo-Satsphingia journals indicate that moths formerly classified as M. latemedia from Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca, Bolivia, are more likely the resurrected Molippa boliviana. I am assuming the moths from Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia, would also be boliviana so I have tentatively identified the images from Thibaud Decaens at the top of the page as Molippa boliviana. They could also be the recently described M. intermediata which is widespread in eastern Peru. They had been listed as latemedia.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Molippa, Walker, 1855

MIDI MUSIC Chiquitita ON.OFF <bgsound src="chiquita[1].mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION: Molippa boliviana (wingspan: males: 59mm; females: 74mm // forwing length: males 24-30mm; females: larger) flies in Bolivia: La Paz (WO?), Cochabamba (ESs), Chuquisaca (WO?), Santa Cruz (ESs). Molippa boliviana HT male, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 59mm, on my home computer only. Based on recent DNA barcoding analysis, Brechlin and Meister, 2011, have described and depicted many new species or resurrected older species from synonymity from the countries of Colombia: Putamayo (M. malyi); Peru (M. intermediata); and Bolivia (M. boliviana (previously synonymized with latemedia) and M. sinyaevorum) which, it seems, would replace M. latemedia in those respective countries, although Molippa latemedia also flies in Colombia. I think in most cases DNA barcoding analysis might be necessary to do determinations. It is also possible that the bar for determining new species has been set too low, and some of these new species may yet be synonymized with the more established species. Time will tell. FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: Moths are on the wing in ?? Larval hosts are unknown. Molippa boliviana AT female, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 74mm, on my home computer only. 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: Larvae of Molippa resemble somewhat those of the genus Automeris, having bodies covered in spines. Larval Food Plants It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipaed foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile. Acacia baileyana....... Quercus Cootamundra Wattle Oak Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page. Return to Molippa Genus Return to South American Saturniidae Direcotry Return to Main WLSS Index Support this website and visit other insect sites by clicking flashing butterfly links to left or right.