DISTRIBUTION:

The Injured Emperor, Bunaeopsis arabella (wingspan: 130-140mm), flies in South Africa: Transvaal, Natal. Rachael Baggallay confirms them in Mpumalanga which used to be Eastern Transvaal.

Bunaeopsis arabella male (verso), 19 December 2008, S 25 deg 07, 943' E 30 deg 33, 910',
Sterkspruit Long Tom Pass (R37), Lydenburg, northeastern South Africa,
(17 Km out of Lydenburg on the Nelspruit/Sabie road), courtesy of Jacolene Meyer.

Cooper and Cooper recommend new genus name "Neobunaeopsis" for this species as well as for 'jacksoni' and 'clementi'. The recommendation is based on differences in genitalia and wings with red basal areas, scalloped outer lines, black markings in submarginal area between wing veins. The larvae are red laterally with a yellow fold and black spiracles. Each segmant has an annular bar that may be either red or yellow.

Bunaeopsis arabella courtesy of Frans Desmet,
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is probably only one generation per year with moths on the wing from January-December into March. Bunaeopsis arabella larvae are believed to favour broad-leafed grasses and reeds. Larvae are reported to feed on Bridelia micrantha.

This species may be in danger through habitat destruction in drainage of wetlands.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Bunaeopsis arabella males are active at night and come in to lights. Females have not been collected, but it is expected they scent at night and have a very strong ovipositing urge.

Bunaeopsis arabella female, Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga, South Africa,
January 1, 2012, courtesy of Rachael Baggallay.

Bunaeopsis arabella female and eggs, Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga, South Africa,
January 1, 2012, courtesy of Rachael Baggallay.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

The life history is unknown but larvae are expected to feed upon broad-leafed grasses and reeds as do B. bomfordi.

Sporolobus and Chloris species are also suspected.

Mature larvae excavate subterranean chambers in which the larvae pupate.

Spherical, off-white eggs, with a series of reddish brown lines, bands and blotches, are probably deposited in clusters on the undersides of grass blades. The ovipositing urge is quite strong and females will deposit eggs on various surfaces when foliage is not available or when the female is confined or has been mesmerized by lights.

Bunaeopsis arabella female and eggs, Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga, South Africa,
January 1, 2012, courtesy of Rachael Baggallay.

Bunaeopsis arabella eggs, Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga, South Africa,
January 1, 2012, courtesy of Rachael Baggallay.

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.

Bridelia micrantha ....... Chloris Sporolobus

Bridelia micrantha Grasses Grasses

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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.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

The genus name comes from the similarity of this moth to the Bunaea species.

The species name "arabella", is probably for a woman named Arabella (Pinhey).

Bunaeopsis arabella male, on my home computer only, Cooper and Cooper.

Bunaeopsis arabella larva, on my home computer only, Cooper and Cooper.