DISTRIBUTION:

The Ptiloscola descimoni moth (wingspan: males: 55mm; females: larger) flies in the North Andean Region from Panama: Canal Zone; and western Colombia: Cundinamarca; to western Ecuador: Esmeraldas; Pichincha; in dry Andean forests at elevations of 600 - 1000 m.

Except for genitalia, this species is identical to P. dargei.

Ptiloscola descimoni male, 54mm, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
courtesy of Entomo-Satsphingia.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Ptiloscola descimoni flies in July.

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adult Ptiloscola descimoni moths emerge from subterranean pupae, and males are slightly smaller than females.

Mating probably begins shortly after dusk with a calling period from 10:30 pm. to 1:00 am.

A light rainfall or mist seems to stimulate additional flight or eclosions resulting in more moths on the wing, or at least taken at lights, but overall this species is infrequent at lights and very erratic in flight when approaching.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Night-flying females lay translucent eggs on host plant leaves.

Larvae are well adorned with scoli and pupate underground in small chambers or among surface litter.

Care of larvae and pupae should be as for any Neotropical species.

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.

Return to Main Saturniidae Index

Return to Ptiloscola Index

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 "descimoni" is honourific for Descimon.