Epiphora modesta

Epiphora modesta
(Bouvier, 1936) (Drepanoptera)

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Attacini, Blanchard, 1840
Genus: Epiphora, Wallengren, 1860

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DISTRIBUTION:

Epiphora modesta is one of the few Attacini in Africa.

I have very little information about many of the African species. Distribution/range, flight times, images, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Send info and/or pictures to oehlkew@islandtelecom.com. Every little bit helps!

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Epiphora modesta larvae probably feed on Citrus, Maesopsis eminii, Paullinia, Zanthoxylum macrophyllum and Fagara macrophylla.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora modesta females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night-flying males.The pair remains coupled until the following evening.

The wings of the female are more rounded than those of the male.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

The cocoon is double walled and resembles the cocoon of the Hyalphora.

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.

Citrus
Fagara macrophylla.....
Maesopsis eminii
Paullinia
Zanthoxylum macrophyllum.......

Citrus
East African Satin Wood
Muhumula/Musira
Guarana
Hercules' club

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Eiphora bedoci female, D'Abrera, on my home computer only.

Eiphora bedoci female-underside, D'Abrera, on my home computer only.

Thierry Bouyer reports (January 7, 2006) that Bouvier renamed what appears to be an aberrant specimen (possibly the above specimen) from Ivory Coast as Epiphora modesta which may in fact be a female E. vacuna.