DISTRIBUTION:

Oiticella luteciae (wingspan: males: 64-72mm; females: 79mm // forewing length: males: 30.3-33.5mm; females: larger) flies in
Argentina: Misiones; and
Brazil: Parana; Santa Catarina; Rio Grande do Sul.

Eric van Schayck reports it (confirmed by Ulf Drechsel) from
Paraguay: Concepcion, (probably San Pedro), Canindeyu, Cordillera, Caaguazu, Alto Parana, Paraguari, Guaira, , and (probably Itapua).

Oiticella luteciae male, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel

Oiticella luteciae male, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel

This species is darker than O. convergens; examination of genitalia is necessary to distinguish it from O. brevis.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are possibly as many as three broods annually with Oiticella luteciae moths on the wing in February, possibly again in June-July, and then possibly again in November.

In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, moths are on the wing in January-April, August and October. Larval hosts are unknown.

Oiticella luteciae male, February 13, 2008, San Rafael, Itapua, Paraguay,
courtesy of Paul Smith, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Oiticella luteciae moths extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males which become active around 11:00 pm.

Oiticella luteciae female, Claude Lemaire, on my home computer only

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

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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