Hyalophora haghenbecki
Updated as per "Description of a new species of Hyalophora (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Attacini) from Mexico", Adolfo Ibarra, Daniel J. Curoe, & Andrés Ramírez-Ponce, Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 2018; April 9, 2019
Updated as per personal communication with Derek Bridgehouse, April 9, 2019

Hyalophora haghenbecki
Adolfo Ibarra, Daniel J. Curoe, & Andrés Ramírez-Ponce, 2018

Hyalophora haghenbecki male, 153mm, Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Pueblo, Mexico,
May 21, 2017, 2365m, Andrés Ramírez-Ponce.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 or
Attacinae, Blanchard,1840
Tribe: Attacini, Blanchard, 1841
Genus: Hyalophora, Duncan, 1841

DISTRIBUTION:

Hyalophora haghenbecki (approximate wingspan: males: 153mm; females: ?? // forewing length: males: 72mm; females: ??) flies in
Mexico: Pueblo: Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, at elevations near 2365m.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is probably just one brood, with moths on the wing in May. There may be additional flight months (April, June, July?).

Caterpillars probably feed on a wide range of plants, but the natural host is unknown.

Hyalophora haghenbecki male (verso), 153mm, Tehuacan-Cuicatlan, Pueblo, Mexico,
May 21, 2017, 2365m, Andrés Ramírez-Ponce.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female moths extend a scent gland from the posterior of the abdomen at night, and males, flying into the wind, are able to follow the plume and locate the female.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Females glue eggs singly or in clumps on leaves of the host plant.

The eggs probably hatch in 9-14 days and the caterpillars consume foliage.

The "assumed" bottle-shaped, double-walled cocoon is spun in the outer part of the host plant and is attached to a twig by only one-half to two-thirds its length, leaving the valved-neck free in the air.

Larval Food Plants


It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of an anticipated alternative foodplant will prove useful. Natural foodplant is unknown as of 2014. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Acer glabrum
Alnus rubra
Amelanchier alnifolia
Amelancher florida
Arctostaphylos glauca
Arctostaphylos patula
Betula occidentalis
Ceanothus cordulatus
Ceanothus integerrimus
Ceanothus sanguineus
Ceanothus velutinus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus.......
Cephalanthus
Coffea
Laryx laricina
Liquidambar styraciflua
Malus pumila
Photinia arbutifolia
Picea
Prunus demissa
Prunus emarginata
Prunus serotina
Prunus virginiana
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Purshia tridentata
Pyrus malus
Quercus
Rhamnus californicus
Rhamnus crocea
Rhamnus purshiana
Rhus arbutus
Rhus laurina
Ribes alpinum
Ribes sanguineum
Rosa
Salix babylonica
Salix discolor
Salix exigua
Schinus molle
Shepherdia argentea
Shepherdia canadensis
Syringa vulgaris

Maple
Red alder
Western serviceberry
Western serviceberry
Black bearberry
Greenleaf manzanita
Mountain/Water birch
Mountain whitethorn
Deer brush
Ceanothus
Snowbrush
Blueblossom/Cat's claw
Buttonbush
Coffee
Tamarack
Sweetgum
Apple
Christmasberry
Spruce
Western chokecherry
Bitter cherry
Wild black cherry
Chokecherry
Douglas fir
Antelope bitter brush
Apple
Oak
California coffee-berry
Hollyleaf buckthorn
Cascara
Sumac
Laurel sumac
Alpine currant
Currant
Rose
Weeping willow
Pussy willow
Sandbar willow
California peppertree...........
Silver buffaloberry
Soapberry
Lilac

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