DISTRIBUTION:

The Anisota dissimilis moth (wingspan: males: 31-36mm; females: 60-66mm) flies in
Mexico: Durango, Hidalgo, Federal District, Puebla, Veracruz, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Chiapas;
Belize (MB); and
Guatemala: Departamento Sacatepequez.

This species was originally classifed as Adelocephala (Boisduval).

Those specimens from Jalisco are more likely A. disjaliscana; specimens from the state of Mexico are more likely A. dismexicana; specimens from Veracruz are more likely A. suprema.

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, and a rleatively 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 the forewing ground colour is a much lighter yellowish brown.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is a single brood with moths on the wing in July.

Anisota dissimilis larvae feed upon Quercus.

Anisota dissimilis female, Oaxaca, Mexico, east of La Trinidad,
64mm, 8500ft, July 13, 1991, courtesy of Kelly price, id by Bill Oehlke

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen and release a pheromone into the night sky. Males fly into the wind and track the pheromone with their antennae.

Anisota dissimilis female, Mexico,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters of up to 100 eggs, usually on the undersides of oak leaves. Larvae are gregarious but divide into smaller clusters as they progress and many become solitary feeders in the final instar. There is considerable variation in larval colour and development of scoli, even in the same brood. Pupation is under the soil.

Anisota dissimilis larva, copyright protected, Kirby Wolfe.

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.........

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 "dissimilis" probably comes from the distinct characters of this species as relates to other members of the genus.

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

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