DISTRIBUTION:

Oxytenis naemia (wingspan 75-80 mm) flies in neotropical South America at elevations of 200-1300 meters above sea level.

Horst Kach confirms their presence in
Ecuador: Sucumbios, Pichincha and Esmeraldas; and in
French Guiana: Piste Coralie, Belizon.

Oxytenis naemia male, February 19, 2007, La Bonita, Sucumbios, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis naemia male (verso), February 19, 2007, La Bonita, Sucumbios, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

In some taxonomies, the Oxytenidae are treated as a distinct family rather than as a subfamily of Saturniidae.

Oxytenis naemia male, January 15, 2002, LosBancos, Pichincha, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis naemia male (verso), January 15, 2002, LosBancos, Pichincha, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are at least three generations of the Oxytenis naemia moth annually with adults on the wing with peak flights in January-February, again in June-August, and then again in October-November. This moth probably broods continuously. FGS reports them on the wing in February and April in French Guiana.

Oxytenis naemia male, August 5, 2005, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis naemia male (verso), August 5, 2005, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis naemia female, Gran Sabana, Bolivar, Venezuela,
January 1, 2009, courtesy of Artour A.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

This species shows sexual dimorphism with the male having scalloped outer forewing margins while the female exhibits a convex pattern. Males use their antennae to seek out females which scent at night. Activity at lights, with both species being attracted, usually begins around 11:30 pm and continues until 2:00 am.

Oxytenis naemia male, August 5, 2005, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis naemia male (verso), August 5, 2005, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

In the early instars, larvae resemble some of the Papilio species with their white saddles on a dark background suggesting a bird dropping. Genetic analysis should prove very interesting when it is finally done.

"Eyespots" on the fifth instar larvae, which exhibit both green and brown colour morphs, are suggestive of some of the Papilionidae, while the anal horn resembles the Sphingidae. Larval image courtesy of Phillip K. Whitman.

The laterally flared thoracic segments are unusual amongst the Saturniidae. Adult wing venation, larval behaviour and morphology are often sited as reasons for placing the Oxytenis species in their own family (Oxytenidae) distinct from the Saturniidae.

Moths eclose from pupae in as few as ten days from pupation date.

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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