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

Molippa wittmeri
Lemaire, 1976

Molippa wittmeri male, copyright Kirby Wolfe

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 wittmeri moth (wingspan: males: 48-54mm; females: probably larger) flies in arid regions of
southwestern Ecuador: Loja; and
northwestern Peru Tumbes, Piura.

M. wittmeri is lighter in colour as compared to M. binasa. This lighter colouration is especially evident in the hindwing where there is much more off-white between the pm line and the submarginal line in wittmeri, and the submarginal line is also outwardly bordered more extensively with off-white in wittmeri as compared to M. binasa.

Visit Peru: Molippa Comparison Chart.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This small species is on the wing in February and March, probably as a univoltine species.

Kirby Wolfe reports rearing success with Acacia baileyana and Robinia. Its natural host is quite likely mimosa.

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

Molippa wittmeri larva, copyright Kirby Wolfe.

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 baileyana......
Mimosa
Robinia

Cootamundra Wattle
Mimosa
Locust

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