DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia biremis (wingspan: males: 78-85mm; females: 100mm) flies in
Colombia: Antioquia;
Ecuador: Morona-Santiago, Zamora-Chinchipe and Loja; and
Peru: Amazonas.

This species has been taken at elevations from 1400m to 2050m.

The thorax is brown and the abdomen is yellow-orange, ringed with black.

Dull brown forewings are elongate with a convex outer margin. The pm line is broad and convex and is broadly outlined in black. Yellow wing veins clearly divide it into segments. The am line is also broad and outlined in black.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably has two to three broods annually. Specimens have been taken in February and October-December.

Natural larval hosts are unknown, but Robinia is a likely choice and has been used with success by Kirby Wolfe for other species in this genus.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters or rings. Larvae are gregarious and are well equipped with urticating spines. A light, single-walled cocoon is spun among leaf litter.

Pseudodirphia biremis larva courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Robinia .......

Locust

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Pseudodirphia was chosen as the genus name as these moths are very similar to those in the Dirphia genus.

The species name, biremis, means two sets of oars and probably refers to wide black outline of the pm line.