DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia varia (wingspan: males: 60-82mm; females: 79-97mm) flies in Bolivia: La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz and in Peru: Madre de Dios and Puno in high elevation Andean forests (1800-3000m).

The thorax is brown. The abdomen is yellow, ringed with black.

The forewing is quite rounded. Ground colour varies from blackish-brown to yellowish-brown. The white pm line is broad, outlined in black and either convex or slightly sinuate and is interrupted by yellowish-coppery markings on wing veins. The am line is arcuate, and the lines sometimes almost meet at the inner angle.

This species is known from elevations of 1800-3000m.

Pseudodirphia varia male, El Limbo, Chapare, Cochabamba, Bolivia,
March 28, 1962, 2000m, on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably broods continuously in three to four month cycles, but may be limited to two broods at higher elevations. Specimens have been taken in August and October-December in Peru. In Bolivia specimens have been taken in December-April.

Pseudodirphia varia male, Florida, Santa Cruz, Bolivia,
December 15, 1984, 1800m, on my home computer only.

Pseudodirphia varia female, Florida, Santa Cruz, Bolivia,
December 15, 1984, 1800m, on my home computer only.

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 varia male, Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia,
March 21, 1984, 2900m, on my home computer only.

Pseudodirphia varia female, Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia,
March 21, 1984, 2900m, on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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, varia, refers to the varying ground colour from blackish-brown to yellowish-brown.