DISTRIBUTION:

The Epiphora styrax moth is one of the few Attacini in Africa. This species flies in West and Central Africa and is readily taken in Cameroon.

This is the same moth as Epiphora mineti (Bouyer). Mineti was described first and would have precedence, if the two moths are indeed the same.

Visit Epiphora mineti for additional pictures and information.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Epiphora styrax larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Epiphora styrax 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.

Epiphora styrax, Cameroon, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

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.

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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.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

"Epiphora" is a medical condition of insufficient drainage of the tear film from the eyes. The eyes are often watery, lids inflamed and crusted. I do not know the the reason(s) for the choice of Epiphora as the genus name, but perhaps the large hyaline areas on the wings of mythimnia (specimen type) with the thick white and yellow borders, were suggestive of watery, encrusted eyes.

The species name "styrax" may be from storax, an aromatic resin. Perhaps the moth was first discovered in the vicinity trees yielding the same.