Citheronula belong to the Subfamily Ceratocampinae of the Family Saturniidae.

Eggs are translucent and the developing larvae can be seen through the egg shells.

Like all the Ceratocampinae, the larvae are well-endowed with long thoracic "horns" which tend to diminish relative to body size as the larvae progress through successive moults.

This subspecies "sonyae" is larger than the nominate subspecies and is characterized by "narrower and less contrasting dull orange veins."

Ryan Saint Laurent observes, "According to Lemaire, "sonyae" has slate grey fringes while the nominate [species] has uniformly orange fringes. I also note that nearly all the greyer individuals of armata (including the ones on WLSS) have a discal spot on the hindwing fused with the red/orange of the base of the HW.

"In yellow fringed nominate armata the discal spot is nearly always separate from the base. Compare the pair I've sent with the male and pair on WLSS (I'll admit that the red spot of the HW is less so connected to the base than in other sonyae-like individuals) but the overall greyness of the two on WLSS is very clearly different from the individuals I have sent. I also sent a larger image of the female.

"Overall, it seems as though sonyae may not be a subspecies, but rather a form of armata, at least in my opinion. Also, the "sonyae" male in Lemaire has the fused discal spot as well, while the nominate has a free spot."

I agree with Ryan's observations, but I think sonyae is sufficiently distinct to warrant elevation to full species status. See the files for further comments on the larvae and male sent to me by Kirby Wolfe. It seems to have some features of both armata and sonyae. (Bill Oehlke)

Citheronula armata sonyae?? fourth instar on Jatropha courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Citheronula armata sonyae?? fifth instar on Jatropha courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

I am not sure if the larval images are of nominate armata or armata sonyae, as the adult image sent to me by Kirby Wolfe has some characters of each subspecies.

Mature larvae descend trees to pupate in subterranean chambers.

These moths fly in South America.

P indicates a photograph is available. The first country listed is the type locality.

Listing of Citheronula

p maranhensis, Brechlin & Meister, 2014 Brazil: Maranhao; Parana
p armata armata, (W. Rothschild, 1907) Paraguay, central Brazil, eastern Bolivia
P armata sonyae, Breyer, 1957 Argentina, Bolivia: Chuquisaca, Paraguay

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