DISTRIBUTION: Syssphinx lapazcellata
(wingspan: males: 74mm; females: 108mm // forewing length: males: 36-38mm; females: 54mm) flies in
Bolivia: LaPaz: Santa Rosa, 1550m.
Syssphinx ocellata also flies in La Paz and in Chuquisaca, Bolivia. Syssphinx paracellata has been taken in Chuquisaca, Bolivia.
I doubt they can be distinguished from photographs.
FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: Moths are on the wing in October-November and January and probably in other months.
Anticipated natural hosts are Acacia, Mimosa and Leucaena.
ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:These moths come in to lights so it is expected that scenting and mating also take place after dark.
Syssphinx lapazcellata AT female, Santa Rosa, La Paz, Bolivia,
January 9, 2010, 1550m, on my home computer only.
EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:Eggs are probably green and translucent and are probably deposited in short rows of four to eight on
foliage or stems. Caterpillar development can be seen through the eggshell. Larvae are gregarious in early instars and have enlarged
thoracic scoli with metalic markings that reflect light on the abdominal scoli.
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.
Acacia angustissima........
Acacia baileyana
Leucanaea pulverulenta
Robinia pseudoacacia
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Prairie acacia
Bailey's acacia
Giant leadtree
Black locust/false acacia
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Return to Main Saturniidae 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 "Syssphinx" was probably chosen for the similarity of these moths (wing shape and resting position) to moths in the Sphingidae family.
The species name "lapazcellata" is indicative of a great similarity with S. ocellata and a specimen type location in LaPaz, Bolivia.
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