DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia parfuscata (wingspan: males: 80mm; females: larger) flies in
Ecuador: Napo Province, Rio Hollin, 1400 m. 01.V.2008

Pseudodirphia parfuscata male (verso), Rio Topo, Tungurahua, Ecuador,
March 21, 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species has been taken in April. I suspect there are additional flight months.

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.

Pseudodirphia parfuscata female, courtesy of Steve Kohll
Ecuador, Napo, Puerto Misahualli.

My original comments before new designation of P. parfuscata:
The above specimen has some of the characters of P. cupripuncta, but Steve also sent me an image of the underside showing pale frons. In P. cupripuncta, a very similar species, the frons is dark brown. However, the wing shape and pm line are more suggestive of P. thiaucourti.
I am now almost certain that this is the female of Pseudodirphia parfuscata. I had originally placed it on the infuscata page.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plume.

At rest, moths fold wings over the body in typical Hemileucinae style.

Pseudodirphia parfuscata larva, courtesy of Steve Kohll
Ecuador, Napo, Puerto Misahualli, reared on Carpinus betulus.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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, parfuscata is indicative of a close relationship with P. infuscata.