DISTRIBUTION:

Lobobunaea christyi molleti (wingspan: males: 156-158mm; females: 157-160mm) flies in
eastern Africa: Ethiopia: Kaffa Province: Weshi; and possibly other countries.

Thierry Bouyer equates L. phaeax Jordan, 1910, and L. molleti Darge, 1975, with rexnoctuae, which he lists as a subspecies of L. phaedus christyi. This genus still requires revision.

Some other authors feel molleti is a valid subspecies.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti male, 158mm, Oromia, Ethiopia,
11.5 km south of Kibre Mengist, 15/5/2012, 1730 meters,
Legits: M. + S. Dietl, R. Beck, courtesy of Athanasios Mpamnaras.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Lobobunaea christyi molleti moths are probably on the wing in May and July, and possibly other months. John Kamps confirms a May flight in Weshi in southwestern Ethiopia.

Franz Ziereis indicates larvae will accept apple (Malus) and oak (Quercus).

Alan Marson has had success rearing them on Liquidambar, sweetgum.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Lobobunaea christyi molleti females attract males with an airbourne pheromone.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti female, 157mm, Oromia, Ethiopia,
11.5 km south of Kibre Mengist, 15/5/2012, 1730 meters,
Legits: M. + S. Dietl, R. Beck, courtesy of Athanasios Mpamnaras.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Females deposit eggs at night on hostplant foliage. Larvae feed and mature in approximately six weeks. At maturity, the larvae leave the host plant to pupate in subterranean chambers.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti eggs and hatchlings, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti first instars on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti third instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti fourth instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti fourth instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti fourth instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti fifth instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti fifth instar on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti pupae, reared on Liquidambar, Ethiopia, courtesy of Alan Marson.

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.

Euphorbiaceae ..... Liquidambar (AM) ...... Malus (FZ) Quercus (FZ)

Eye-ball tree Swetgum Apple Oak

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.

The genus name Lobobunaea, is from the Greek and refers to a lobed hill-dweller. The genus specimen type is Lobobunaea phaedusa, males of which have a valve with a subapical lobe. The hindwings are also lobed at the anal angle. It may also be a montane species.

The species name christyi is honourific for Christy; subspecies name molleti is honourific for Mollet.

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Lobobunaea christyi molleti male, 156mm, Ethiopia, on my home computer only.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti male, 158mm, Ethiopia, on my home computer only.

Lobobunaea christyi molleti female, 160mm, Ethiopia, on my home computer only.