DISTRIBUTION:

Citheronia pseudomexicana (wingspan: males: 91-106; females: larger) flies in
central Mexico: State of Mexico, Puebla, to eastern Mexico and south into
Guatemala and
Belize.

Compared to mexicana, the wings have less of a triangular shape and the outer margin is slightly convex. The internervular spots are also lighter in colour.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in July and August.

Citheronia pseudomexicana larvae probably feed on Brazil peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius), Laurel sumac (Rhus laurina) and Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina).

Regarding the female below, Ryan Saint Laurent comments, "This individual could really be either C. mexicana or C. pseudomexicana. Regardless, this would be the first time a female of either species is depicted on WLSS.
Locale: Fortin de los Flores, Veracruz, Mexico; WS: 117 mm"

Citheronia pseudomexicana/mexicana?? female, Fortin de los Flores, Veracruz, Mexico,
117mm, Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent.

Compared to the Claude Lemaire image of the female Citheronia mexicana that I have on the mexicana file on my home computer, I feel the female from the Cornell University Collection is more likely C. pseudomexicana, primarily based on the shape of the outer margin of the forewing. In both species, the outer margin is quite convex, but in mexicana, the overall line from the apex to the anal angle is more oblique. In the female pseudomexicana the forewing seems fuller and more "squarish" near the anal angle. The size is more in line with an average pseudomexicana rather than a large mexicana. Bill Oehlke

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The slightly smaller, more brigthly coloured 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 is seven to nine days, and larvae are well-adorned with large thoracic scoli. 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.

Leroy Simon image to the right.

Citheronia pseudomexicana larva, copyright protected, by Kirby Wolfe.

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.

Rhus laurina Rhus typhina Schinus terebinthifolius.....

Laurel sumac Staghorn 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 "pseudomexicana" is for the similarity between this species and Citheronia mexicana.