DISTRIBUTION:

The Small Prince, Ludia arguta (forewing length: 19-32mm) (wingspan: males: 36-38mm; females: 45mm), flies in East Africa: Tanzania ??; Somaliland and Mandera in northeastern Kenya and also in Mombasa, Voi, Mtito Andre, Makindu, Isiolo in Kenya. Pinhey (1956) reports it in Korogwe, northeastern Tanzania, but Thierry Bouyer does not confirm its presence in Tanzania.

Stefan Naumann reports it from southwestern Ethiopia: Gamo Gofa Province: Turmi.

Ludia arguta male (38mm), Turmi, Gamo Gofa Province, southwestern Ethiopia,
May 9, 2008, on my home computer only.

The medial and outer lines on the forewing are wavy. The margins are evenly toothed. The male is reddish-brown, while the female is grey.

Thierry Bouyer equates subspecies russa with the nominate species; others regard it as a subspecies.

Ludia arguta russa male, Kenya, on my home computer only.

Ludia arguta russa female, Kenya, on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There is an April-May flight, and there may be additional flight months.

Larvae probably feed on Vernonia.

Ludia arguta female (45mm), on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

These moths are relatively small and day-flying males have falcate forewings. The somewhat larger females call during the day, but oviposit at night (beginning probably in early evening). Their forewings are slightly produced at the apex but are not falcate.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE COCOONS:

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae or on various internet sites. 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.

Vernonia Asteraceae.....

Ironweed Asteraceae

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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.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The genus name Ludia is from the Latin and means "a player".

The species name "arguta" means "sharp toothed".