DISTRIBUTION:

The small Molippa eophila moth (wingspan: males: 27-32mm; females: 39-41mm) flies in
Argentina: Tucuman; Cordoba (CM/NV); Entre Rios: Primo de Mayo and Pronunciamento; and probably Santiago del Estero; Formosa; Chaco; Santa Fe, and in
Paraguay: Boqueron: Ochoa, Alto Paraguay and Presidente Hayes, and possibly Asuncion and Central.

It has been reassigned to a new genus Auroraia.

Molippa eophila female, Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
February 1, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Molippa eophila female (resting), Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
February 1, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Nigel Venters writes, "The resting shot (avove) is identical for both sexes, as is the position the moth takes up when threatened (below). This pic was taken from each side of the same moth as it posed wings open and body curled beneath it, and I joined the photo."

Molippa eophila female (threatened), Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
February 1, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

When threatened or disturbed, the sudden flashing of hindwing eyespots, and the curling of the abdomen, revealing golden bands suggestive of a large bee, wasp or hornet, might serve to discourage predators.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species has been taken in January-February (NV), August, October, November (NV: Cordoba) and December and probably broods continuously.

Adriana Inés Zapata, via Nigel Venters, reports them on the wing in Cordoba, Argentina, in February and December.

Larvae feed on Acacia caven.

Molippa eophila female, Paraguay, courtesy/copyright Ulf Drechsel.

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.

Many thanks to Nigel Venters of Rio Ceballos who has begun to send me electronic images of Saturniidae species he encounters on his Sphingidae excursions. Below is an image of a Molippa eophila female from his backyard.

Molippa eophila female, Rio Ceballos, Cardoba, Argentina,
November 20, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters,
id and digital repair/reconstruction by Bill Oehlke.

Nigel writes, "The Molippa eophila female originated in my garden here, about 30Kms north of Cordoba City. I live about 3 kms south of Rio Ceballos and 3kms north of Unquillo, (Halfway between the two villages). The female M. eophila I found dead, trapped in the hinge of my garage door, and before throwing her out, I noticed she has laid a "ball" of eggs which were trapped between her feet. If you remember, you kindly i.d'd it for me, and told me that the hostplant was Acacia caven, of which I have many trees growing on my land. I sleeved the egg ball, but have only just been able to find the larvae in the sleeve, (Frass was in the bottom) because they were so well camouflaged. I never saw this moth at my light trap, so I don't believe it is common here, either that or it is not so attracted to M.V. light."

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs incubate for approximatley two weeks (NV), Nigel Venters was able to rear this species, and he reports for a subsequent pairing, "I have some eggs again, and I can confirm that they are laid in small batches of 10 to 15 eggs."

Nigel adds, "Anyway, the larvae are at best, semi-gregarious, as I found the odd group of 3 or 4 larvae together in the sleeve, but the majority, about fifty larvae are solitary.

Hatchlings took approximately three-and-a-half to four weeks to reach fifth instar.

Typical of Hemileucini species, larvae have urticating spines. These might produce a very nasty sting.

Molippa eophila third instar on Acacia caven, Cordoba, Argentina,
December 20, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Molippa eophila third instar on Acacia caven, Cordoba, Argentina,
December 20, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Molippa eophila fifth instars on Acacia, Argentina,
courtesy/copyright Alejandro Borquez.

Molippa eophila fourth instar, Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
December 24, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Molippa eophila fifth instar, Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
December 27, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

I could not resist posting this additional image of a fourth instar larva below. The thorns on Acacia caven are large and sharp. The compound leaves with their small leaflets provide great camouflage for the larvae.

I have often wondered if larvae have the ability to see their host plant, can send and store a chemical/digital photo in their brains, with a mechanism that lets them transmit that image to their DNA sequencing so that future generations can more quickly evolve into a form with greater chances of survival through camouflage.

I realize this hypothesis adds an "intelligence" dimension (or at least a capture, storage and transfer (to DNA) mechanism) to evolutionary theory (survival of the fittest), but replications are so intricately detailed in some cases that I think there must be a mechanism to hone the details above and beyond "trial and error", even over eons of time.

Maybe if we someday discover if/how that is done, it won't seem like such a strange idea.

Molippa eophila fourth instar, Rio Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
December 24, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Nigel writes, "I was about to change the sleeve of the M. eophila when I noticed, and watched, while one of the less developed larvae was changing skin from 4th to 5th instar. I know it is quite normal for the larvae to eat their old skin after a change, but it was fascinating to watch this larva. It was only interested in eating the spines from the old skin! When the skin was hoovered clean, the larva just dropped the old, completely peeled skin, after only eating the spines/spikes! It then wandered off, and started back on the hostplant. I don't know if this is general behaviour amongst the urticating Sat larvae, but it makes sense to me when you think about it! My guess is that it was keen to keep the poisons from the old spines, to include in its protection in its new instar. I have been very careful handling these larvae of course, but I can say, the slightest touch on one's skin from the spines is like a wasp sting and VERY painful. It takes several hours to ease off, but a couple of days to stop itching! I would hate to get a full blown sting from one of these larvae, as all I have to date had is a glancing touch when sleeve changing."

Molippa eophila fifth instar, Los Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
January 1, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters

Molippa eophila fifth instar, Los Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
January 1, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters

Nigel Venters indicates, "The cocoons are beautifully woven in an extremely thin silk, which is also incredibly strong! However, although they look opaque in the photo, when held up to the light, they are semi-transparent, and you can easily see the larva inside waiting to change into a pupa."

Nigel further describes the cocoons as having a "filigree" effect; "in fact if you look closely at the photo I sent, you can see the tiny holes in the cocoon."

"Here is a pic of the M. eophila cocoon. This one was spun at the end of the branch and was easier to cut the twig and photo it. However, most are spun tight against the thorns on the main branch.

"As you know, A. caven is an evil tree! Apart from the very large thorns, there are millions of smaller thorns at every leaf junction, similar to a half inch long bramble thorn, which are razor sharp and the tips break off in your the skin!

"Anyway, here's some data from my diary. M. eophila: Eggs hatched 27th Nov, approximately two weeks from deposition. The larvae are incredibly difficult to see until third instar, as they are mostly solitary, and even then very hard to find. From the fourth instar onwards they become more gregrious, and end up as clusters of larvae. (Maybe when they get bigger, and more easily seen, there is more safety in numbers?) The first cocoon was formed on January 2, 2011. Easy species to do if sleeved, which is a problem with this tree, but not tolerant of cut food, as this Acacia dries out very quickly when cut, and the larvae start to wander off after only a few hours. OK, I'll wait for a while and take out a pupa to photo at a later date."

Molippa eophila cocoon, Los Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
January 2, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters

Molippa eophila male pupa, Los Ceballos, Cordoba, Argentina,
10mm long, January 10, 2011, courtesy of Nigel Venters

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.

Acacia caven.......

Espinillo/Espino/Aromo

Acacia caven, Jujuy, Argentina, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

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Molippa eophila pair, Entre Rios, Argentina,
photo by Lucio Coronel and Fernando Penco from the Aldo Fortino collection.

Molippa eophila, Amancay, Cordoba, Argentina,
February, 2010, courtesy of Carlos Marzano.