DISTRIBUTION:

The Anisota assimilis moth (wingspan: males: 41-46mm; females: 48-50mm) flies in Mexico: Chihuahua, Sonora, Durango; and into Belize (MB).

This moth lacks the black areas of dissimilis and the speckling of punctata.

When I received the images on this page from Leroy Simon and Chris Conlan, Anisota disjaliscana, Brechlin & Meister, 2014, had not yet been described. I think there is a good chance that these images are of disjaliscana, with assimilis being a lighter, yellower moth with fainter markings.

Below are descriptions of many very similar Anisota species from Mexico. The description of A. assimilis is in red.

Female Anisota disjaliscana exist in two colour forms: a brighter orangey-brown with darker orangey-brown veins and a darker grey-brown with darker grey veins. In both cases, the white cell mark is slightly oblong (smaller than in dissimilis) and is noticeably outlined with a tracing concolorous with wing veins. The forewing outer margin is slightly convex and fringes on all wings tend to be orangey-brown or grey, depending upon the main colour form.

Those specimens from Jalisco are more likely A. disjaliscana; specimens from the state of Mexico with a larger post median field are more likely A. dismexicana; specimens from Veracruz are more likely A. suprema; specimens from Oaxaca are most likely dissimils. Yellower specimens with fainter liness, from Sonora, Mexico, are more likely A. assimilis.

The male and female dissimilis have the largest, circular, forewing cell spots in this group of very similar species. A. suprema, at one time synonymized with dissimilis, has a less preapical forewing pm line and a significantly smaller white cell marking compared to dissimillis. The female dismexicana has a more preapical pm line, creating a larger post median field, and a relatively large white cell mark that is more triangular than circular.

A. assimilis from Sonora, Mexico, has a smaller circular cell mark and a pm line that is lighter, more diffuse than in similar species, and appears slightly concave. The forewing ground colour is a much lighter yellowish-brown than in other similar species, and the hindwing is concolourous.

Anisota assimilis female, Sonora, Mexico,
on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May-June. Anisota assimilis larvae feed upon Quercus albocincta and Quercus grisea.

Anisota assimilis/disjaliscana?? female courtesy of Chris Conlan.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Anisota assimilis have simple antennae.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Translucent eggs are deposited in clusters on host foliage or twigs.

Early instar larvae are gregarious but divide into smaller groupings as they progress.

Anisota assimilis fourth instars, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon

Larvae become more solitary as they move into final instar. Photo courtesy of Chris Conlan. Pupation is under the soil.

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.

Quercus albocincta..... Quercus grisea

Oak Gray oak

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 species name "assimilis" probably comes from the similarity of this species to other members of the genus.

I do not know the source of the genus name "Anisota".

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