DISTRIBUTION:

Ptiloscola burmeisteri (forewing length: males: 24-26mm; females: 43mm; wingspan: males: 55-60mm; females: 60-75mm) flies in
Argentina: Jujuy (910-2180m): Calilegua NP; Salta: El Rey NP (957-1420m) and Higuerillas, Pcia. Salta.

Ptiloscola burmeisteri male, Calilegua, Jujuy, Argentina,
February 10, 2010, 1100m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Ptiloscola burmeisteri flies in January-February-March and possibly again in July and is also confirmed in November-December.

Larval hosts include Acacia baileyana (AB).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING: Adult Ptiloscola burmeisteri moths emerge from subterranean pupae, and males are significantly smaller than females, and males respond to lights in much greater numbers. Ptiloscola burmeisteri female (right), Las Lancitas, Jujuy, Argentina, 75mm, January 21, 2011, 1100m, courtesy of Alejandro Borquez.

Ptiloscola burmeisteri, male, 55mm, Argentina,
from Entomo-Satsphingia 1 (1): 21 – 26 (April 2008), courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

According to Alejandro Borquez, the moths "come to the lights from 12.00 hours 03.00 am. It is interesting that a light rainfall seems to stimulate additional flight and eclosions."

Ptiloscola burmeisteri female, Las Lancitas, Jujuy, Argentina,
75mm, January 21, 2011, 1100m, courtesy of Alejandro Borquez.

Ptiloscola burmeisteri female (verso), Las Lancitas, Jujuy, Argentina,
75mm, January 21, 2011, 1100m, courtesy of Alejandro Borquez.

Ptiloscola comparison plate, from Entomo-Satsphingia 1 (1): 21 – 26 (April 2008), courtesy of Ron Brechlin.
Original description and notes (in German) in Entomo-Satsphingia 1 (1): 21 – 26 (April 2008).

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE: Night-flying females probably lay translucent green eggs on host plant leaves. Larvae are well adorned with scoli and pupate underground in small chambers or amongst surface litter. Care of larvae and pupae should be as for any neotropical species.

Ptiloscola burmeisteri hatchling and second instar on Acacia baileyana,
February 4-14, courtesy of Alejandro Borquez.

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

Acacia baileyana ....... (AB)

Bailey's Acacia

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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.

The genus name "Ptiloscola" comes from, 'Ptilo, meaning wing and 'scola', probably meaning twisted or crooked, perhaps refering to the irregular shape of the pm line.

The species name "burmeisteri" is honourific for Karl Hermann Konrad BurMeister (1807-1892).

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Ptiloscola cinerea (more likely burmeisteri WO?),
see plate below, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Ptiloscola 2008