DISTRIBUTION:

Bunaeopsis nigericola flies in Burkina Faso and probably in Niger. BOLD Systems reports it in Ivory Coast.

Thierry Bouyer lists this moth as "Incertae sedis" in his 1999 catalogue.

Incertae sedis means "of uncertain position (seat)". It is a phrase used to define a taxonomic group where the broader relationships are unknown or undefined.

Thus, Bunaeopsis nigericola may be a distinct species, but it might also be a synonym for other similar moths going by a different name. More scientific study is needed to determine the relationships.

Bunaeopsis nigericola male, Bama, Banwa Province, Burkina Faso,
August 2005, courtesy of John Kamps.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is possibly only one generation per year with moths on the wing in July (JYP) and August (JK).

Larval hosts are unknown.

Bunaeopsis nigericola male, Ivory Coast,
on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

The life history is unknown.

I believe all mature Buanaeopsis larvae excavate subterranean chambers and pupate underground.

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.

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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.

The genus name Bunaeopsis, indicates a similarity ('opsis' = looks like) to the Bunaea genus. That name is from the Greek and refers to a lobed hill-dweller.

The species name nigericola is probably meant to indicate a geographic range. I suspect (don't know) it was probably originally described as being an inhabitant of ("cola") Niger ("nigeri-").