DISTRIBUTION:

The pale yellow internervular spots on the slate gray or pinkish brown forewing are reduced. In the hindwing the antemedial and postmedial lines are usually fused near the cell.

Citheronia guayaquila, male, Viktor Suter and Bernhard Wenczel

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are possibly two Citheronia guayaquila broods annually with moths on the wing in December-January-February and then possibly again in June-July.

In captivity larvae accept Schinus molle, Ligustrum and Rose.

Citheronia guayaquila, female, Viktor Suter and Bernhard Wenczel

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING: Moths eclose from subterranean pupae. Females call in the males with an airbourne pheromone and most activity occurs in the early morning hours from 1:00 to 3:00 am. Citheronia guayaquila male, courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

First and second instars Citheronia guayaquila, courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Fourth instar Citheronia guayaquila, courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Fifth instar Citheronia guayaquila, courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Fifth instar Citheronia guayaquila, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Pupation is underground in a small cell.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae. 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.

Ligustrum Schinus molle....... Rosa

Privet Brazillian Peppertree Rose

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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 "guayquila" comes from the specimen type locality in Guayaquil, and area in western Ecuador.

Citheronia guayaquila, female, Claude Lemaire

Citheronia guayaquila, male, Claude Lemaire