DISTRIBUTION:

The Banded Emperor, Cinabra hyperbius (forewing length: 43-62mm), flies from
northwest Kenya: Kakamega Forest to southern Africa:
Malawi;
Zambia: Luapula Province: Mwense; (SA8)
Zimbabwe;
South Africa; and
probably Tanzania. It has also been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Andreas Riekert confirms its presence in Tanzania with the dark female below.

Cinabra hyperbius, female, Dabaga Forest, SW Tanzania, courtesy of Andreas Riekert.

Cinabra hyperbius, Sakania, Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
January 12, 2013, courtesy of Nigel Voaden.

Cinabra hyperbius, Sakania, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
January 15, 2013, courtesy of Nigel Voaden.

Some of the specimens from South Africa have bright yellow hindwings. Further north the hindwing is usually pinkish-orange; some have very reddish hindwings.

Some regard a yellow form (not reported in KZN, South Africa) as a distinct species, bracteata.

It is either quite variable or there is mor ethan one species posted on this page. Bill Oehlke.

Cinabra hyperbius (male), South Africa, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Cinabra hyperbius larvae feed upon Berlinia paniculata, Brachystegia randii, Brachystegia spiciformis, Brachystegia venosa, Ekebergia, Julbernardia, Acacia baileyanna, Protea, Prunus and Robinia pseudacacia.

Cinabra hyperbius (female), South Africa, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Moths emerge at night from pupae which have spent most of the insect's life underground. The females call once their wigs have hardened.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Light olive-brown eggs are deposited in small groups on hostplant foliage.

The larva is emerald green with red triangles laterally and black thorns emanating from raised warts.

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.

Acacia baileyanna Berlinia paniculata Brachystegia randii Brachystegia spiciformis....... Brachystegia venosa Ekebergia Faurea saligna Julbernardia Protea Prunus Robinia pseudacacia

Cootamundra Wattle Mnondo Msasa Msasa Msasa Ekebergia Transvaal Beech Mnondo Sugar bush Cherry Black locust/False acacia

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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.

"Cinabra" is probably derived from the cinnabar colouration of this moth.

I do not know the origin of the species name, hyperbius.

Cinabra hyperbius male, Cooper and Cooper, home computer only.

Cinabra hyperbius larvae, Cooper and Cooper, home computer only.