DISTRIBUTION:

The Hispaniodirphia lemaireiana moth (wingspan: males: 52-57; females: probably larger) flies in the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola) on the island of Hispaniola (Province Pedernales) at 1700-2100m.

Dominican Republic: Pedernale: Hispaniola: Road from Puerto Escondido to Pedernales, km. 40, National Park Sierra de Bahoruco, 18.172, -71.528, collected by J. Barbut et al., 2004-05-12. (Mirror)

The female is unknown; the male is distinguished by a distinct forewing postmedial line and white discal markings which may be significantly less developed than in the depicted specimen. There is no am line.

Hispaniodirphia lemaireiana ?? male, 53mm, Pedernales, Dominican Republic,
August 22, 1983, 1130m, Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent.

Hispaniodirphia lemaireiana ?? male, 50mm, Pedernales, Dominican Republic,
August 22, 1983, 1130m, Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent.

Regarding the two specimenes directly above, Ryan Saint Laurent writes, "Hispaniodirphia lemaireiana - These do not appear to be H. plana, but seem much closer to H. lemaireiana. The specimen depicted on WLSS is rather different as well, but according to the original description of the species, it is very variable.

"WS: top: 53 mm, bottom: 50 mm

"Locale: (for both) Dom. Republic: Pedernales Prov.; Sierra de Bagruco; las Abejas, ca. 12 km NW of Aceitillar. 1130m, in mesic broadleaf forest at "BL" type blacklight; 22 August 1983; leg. JD Weintraub/FA Harrington **

"Note, in the original description, this species is said to be found in pine forests, these are from a slightly different locale, in broadleaf forest, but same Province-- I also think " Sierra de Bagruco" is a misspelling of Sierra de Bahoruco."

I agree with Ryan that these specimens are much closer to H. lemaireiana than to H. plana, but I think there is a good chance they are an undescribed species/subspecies due to different habitat, lower elevation, and differences in overall appearance. (Bill Oehlke)

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in May, July near mid month. Larvae and their hosts are unknown, but it is suspected they are pine feeders.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen, and the night-flying males detect and track the airbourne pheromone plume with their well-developed antennae.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in clusters on hostplant foliage.

H. lemaireiana larvae are probably highly gregarious and probably have the urticating spines typical of larvae from the Subfamily Hemileucinae.

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 species name lemaireiana is honourific for Claude Lemaire.