DISTRIBUTION:

Yatanga arabica inhabits
Yemen (NHM): West-Aden Protectorate, Dhala, 5000 ft.

I believe this moth has been elevated to full species status as Yatanga arabica. It was formerly listed as Goodia smithi arabica. It is also possible that it has been synonymized with Yatanga smithi??

Visit Yatanga Comparison plate.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in September, and probably in other months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females fly early at night with males on the wing around midnight, the calling time of females. Both sexes come in to lights.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in small groups of 4-12 on twigs or hostplant leaves. Larvae are solitary feeders.

Larvae descend the foodplant at pupation time and construct a flimsy cocoon in debris at the base of the hostplant.

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.

I do not know the reason for Darge's choice of the genus name of Yatanga in 2008.

The species name 'smithi' is honourific for Smith. The subspecies name arabica (now species name) is indicative of a range in Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula.