DISTRIBUTON:

Ptiloscola paraguayensis (forewing length: males: 28-30mm; females: 44mm) flies in
Paraguay: Alto Parana: Limoy and Estancia Dimas; Kanindeyu: Tava Yopoi; San Pedro: Estancia Laguna Blanca (PS); and Amambay: La Nina (SR).

Ptiloscola paraguayensis, Cerrado, Estancia Laguna Blanca, San Pedro, Paraguay,
October 19, 2008, courtesy of Paul Smith.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Ptiloscola paraguayensis flies in January-February and November, and possibly in other months. Larval host(s) are unknown.

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).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adult Ptiloscola paraguayensis 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.

Ptiloscola paraguayensis male, Dimas, Alto Parana, Paraguay,
courtesy of Ulf Drechsel

Ptiloscola paraguayensis female, Paraguay,
courtesy of Ulf Drechsel

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, 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.

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 "paraguayensis" is indicative of a flight range in Paraguay.

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Ptiloscola 2008