Catacantha nataliae
Brechlin & Meister & van Schayck 2010

Catacantha nataliae (male), 48mm, Barinitas, Barinas, Venezuela,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck; id by Bill Oehlke.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Catacantha, Bouvier, 1930

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DISTRIBUTION:

Catacantha nataliae (approximate wingspan: males: 46-51mm; females: mm // fwl: males: 24mm; females: larger) flies in
Venezuela: Barinas.

Visit Catachantha Genus Comparison Plate

Many years ago, long before C. nataliae was described, Bernhard Wenczel sent the following image to me as C. stramentalis. I think it is more likely Catacantha nataliae

Catacantha nataliae ?? male, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in September at elevation of 420m. There may also be flights in other months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters of 6-40+ on hostplant twigs. Larvae have urticating spines and are gregarious, especially in the early instars.

The species name, nataliae, is honourific for Natalie Becke, niece of Eric Van Schayck.

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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