DISTRIBUTION:

The Almeidaia aidae moth flies on Cerrado (savannahs) in Brazil and is known only from Rio Verde, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and Cerrado Region, Diamantino, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Almeidaia aidae male, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This nocturnal species is attracted to ultraviolet light, from 11:00 to mid-night. The species only flies for two weeks, from the end of August until the beginning of September.

The natural hostplants are Pseudobombax longiflorum (Mart. & Zucc.) A. Rob. and Eriotheca gracilipes (K. Schum.) A. Rob., both Bombacaceae. All information courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

Almeidaia aidae male, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

Almeidaia romualdoi male, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

Note the narrower forewings (much straighter outer margin) of Almeidaia romualdoi.

Almeidaia aidae female, on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Almeidaia aidae males use their antennae to seek out females.

Almeidaia aidae female, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Eurides Furtado indicates larvae develop very rapidly, i.e., in as few as ten days. However, the pupal period can last a year or more.

The first four instars are equipped with a pair of short, forward-pointing thoracic "horns", which all but disappear in the fifth instar.

Almeidaia aidae larva, Brazil, courtesy of Eurides Furtado.

Larval Food Plants

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.

Eriotheca gracilipes Pseudobombax longiflorum........

Eriotheca gracilipes Shaving Brush Tree

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