Molippa pearsoni
Updated as per Lemaire's Hemileucinae 2002, June 14, 2009

Molippa pearsoni
Lemaire, 1982

Molippa pearsoni male, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
October 3, 1959, 1300m, Claude Lemaire, on my home computer only.

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:

The Molippa pearsoni moth (wingspan: males: 54-69mm; females: probably larger) flies in
central and south central Brazil: Goias; Minas Gerais: Serra do Cipo; Rio Miguel Quice; Auto do Palacio.

The upperside of the male's abdomen is entirely black except for a yellow anal tuft. The forewing postmedial line is single and there is no apical spot.

The hindwing discal spot is heavily marked, and the anal margin has heavy black scaling.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February and October, suggesting at least two broods.

Larval hosts remain 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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