DISTRIBUTION:

Bunaeopsis thyene, (wingspan: ? mm) is found in
Cameroon: Barombi-Station; and possibly south to
Zambia: Mazabuka.

The following images from the Cornell University collection were identified as Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene. I do not know if that moth has been synonymized with licharbas, remains a subspecies of licharbas or has been elevated to full species status. The male and female from Zambia seem to lack the pinkish suffusions in the median area, and the forewing ocelli seem different from the other specimens listed as licharbas on the licharbas page.

Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene male, Mazabuka, Zambia,
Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent,
slight digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Bunaeopsis licharbas thyene female, Mazabuka, Zambia,
Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent,
digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

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 thyene 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.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is probably only one generation of Bunaeopsis thyene per year with moths probably on the wing in July.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males are probably active at night and come in to lights.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

The life history is unknown.

Mature larvae probably excavate subterranean chambers in which the larvae pupate.

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 thyene probably comes form Greek mythology where Thyene was one of the seven sisters of Hyas.