DISTRIBUTION:

The Citheronia andina moth (wingspan: 80-112mm; females: 120-130mm) flies in
Peru: San Martin, Junin, Huanucu and Cuzco and probably Pasco;
Ecuador: Napo and Morona-Santiago and probably Pastaza; and
Bolivia: Cochabama and La Paz on the eastern slopes of the Andes at elevations up to 2000m.

Citheronia andina/aroa male, Las Minas, Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
October 30, 2002, courtesy of Horst kach.

Citheronia andina/aroa male (verso), Las Minas, Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
October 30, 2002, courtesy of Horst kach.

Luigi Racheli indicates he thinks the specimens from Misahualli are actually C. aroa. Luigi writes,"C. andina is only from moderate elevation (In Ecuador: Loreto Road, Cord Huacamayos and other sites). Usually C. andina is not below 1000 m of altitude."

I am in agreement with Luigi and note that C. aroa has the very acute angle at the forewing apex, typical of the specimens from Misahualli. I will, therefore also display them on the C. aroa page and notify Horst.

This moth resembles bellavista but has a broader wing, and outer margins of all wings are slightly convex.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in February and September-October, suggesting two broods annually.

Citheronia andina larvae feed on Brazil peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and on Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina).

Citheronia andina, female, courtesy of Viktor Suter, via Bernhard Wenczel.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The slightly smaller, more brightly coloured andina males use their more highly developed antennae to locate calling females at night.

Males of this subfamily have antennae which are quadripectinate for the basal two-thirds of their length.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Eggs are relatively large and a translucent yellow. Incubation takes seven to nine days and larval development can be seen through the egg shell.

Citheronia andina larvae are extremely colourful and armed with "horns" not as pronounced as some other members of this genus.

Pupation is underground in a small cell.

Citheronia andina third instar, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Citheronia andina fifth instar, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Larval Food Plants

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.

Malosma laurina Schinus terebinthifolius.....

Laurel sumac Brazil peppertree

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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 source of the genus name "Citheronia" is probably Mount Citheron (Greek mythology), an untamed wilderness, exempt from the laws of civilization. The goddesses go naked there and are free from any of the pressures of society.

The species name "andina" probably comes from a specimen type locality in Andina, Peru.