DISTRIBUTION:

Citheronula maranhensis (wingspan: males: 63mm; females: larger // forewing length: males: 31-34mm; females: larger) flies in
Brazil: Maranhao, possibly south to Parana.

A collector, living in Parana, may have captured these moths (Cornell University Collection) in Maranhao and placed them with his collection in Parana with possible subsequent mislabelling of location on the specimens in the Cornell University Collection. It is also possible that the species also flies as far south as Parana or that the moths from Parana represent yet another species/subspecies.

Ryan Saint Laurent observes, "According to Lemaire, "sonyae" has slate grey fringes while the nominate [species] has uniformly orange fringes. I also note that nearly all the greyer individuals of armata (including the ones on WLSS) have a discal spot on the hindwing fused with the red/orange of the base of the HW.

"In yellow fringed nominate armata the discal spot is nearly always separate from the base. Compare the pair I've sent with the male and pair on WLSS (I'll admit that the red spot of the HW is less so connected to the base than in other sonyae-like individuals) but the overall greyness of the two on WLSS is very clearly different from the individuals I have sent. I also sent a larger image of the female.

"Overall, it seems as though sonyae may not be a subspecies, but rather a form of armata, at least in my opinion. Also, the "sonyae" male in Lemaire has the fused discal spot as well, while the nominate has a free spot."

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in January, and possibly in other months. Citheronula maranhensis larval hosts are unknown, but they may feed e feed on Cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) and Jatropha.

Citheronula maranhensis (or nominate armata or maranhensis) female, Parana, Brazil,
Cornell University Collection, via Ryan Saint Laurent.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Citheronula maranhensis moths extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in underground chambers.

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.

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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 "Citheronula" 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 "maranhenisis is inidcative of a specimen type locale in Maranhao, Brazil,