DISTRIBUTION:

The Aurivillius jolyanorum moth flies in the Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana (AM), and northern portions of Cameroon in Africa. It probably also flies in Benin and Nigeria.

Rodolphe Rougerie reports it in Burkina Faso.

This species is very similar to aratus but lacks the grey black scaling widely dispersed on the ventral surface of all wings in aratus.

This species is named for collectors Eric and Claude Joly.

Aurivillius jolyanorum male, Togo.

Aurivillius jolyanorum male, Ghana,
courtesy of Jason Wright, via Alan Marson,
tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Rodolphe Rougerie writes, "There are some differences in wing pattern/shape/colouration between xerophilus/jolyanorum, but the most useful feature when you have both species at hand is the size of the antennae, the ones of jolyanorum are much bigger."

Aurivillius jolyanorum male, Burkina Faso, courtesy of Rodolphe Rougerie

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Aurivillius jolyanorum moths fly in April, May, June, August and October, suggesting at least two broods annually.

Larvae probably feed on Silk tree (Albizia).

Aurivillius jolyanorum female, Burkina Faso, courtesy of Rodolphe Rougerie

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females scent and attract males at night by releasing an airbourne pheromone. Males fly in a zigzag pattern into the wind to pick up the pheromone plume with their antennae. Both sexes come to lights with males most common around midnight.

Aurivillius jolyanorum female, courtesy of Thierry Bouyer.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Eggs are a translucent yellow and are deposited in groups of 6-10 on foodplant leaves.

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in subterranean chambers.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant and possible alternate food plants. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Albizia.......

Silktree

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