DISTRIBUTION:

Based on an article written by Stefan Naumann, Wolfgang A. Nassig, and Swen Loffler, published in the December 2008 issue of Nachricten des Entomologischen Vereins Apollo, the insect originally described as Loepa katinka diversiocellata by Bryk in 1944 and subsequently raised to full species status by Pinratana and Lampe, 1990, is now to be classified as Loepa diffundata, Naumann, Nassig, and Loffler, 2008.

All the specimens posted on this page and on links designated as Loepa diversiocellata are now classified as Loepa diffundata with the following explanation, paraphrased by myself (Bill Oehlke).

Recent study has revealed that the material originally described by Bryk as Loepa katinka diversiocellata and subsequently elevated to full species status is actually Loepa katinka. Hence the name Loepa diversiocellata is not valid. The new name, Loepa diffundata, has been assigned to a distinct species from Laos.

Loepa diversiocellata (wingspan: males: 85-100mm; females: 90-109mm) flies in Laos, Burma, Vietnam and Thailand: Chiang Mai south to Isthmus of Kra, and China: Yunnan (AM).

Visit Loepa diversiocellata male (recto and verso), Vietnam, courtesy of Vu Van Lien.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

I suspect this species has multiple broods. Teemu Klemetti has recorded them on the wing in September in Laos. Cissus, grape and Virginia Creeper would likely prove to be suitable hosts.

Loepa diversiocellata (male), Burma, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Loepa diversiocellata male (98mm), Fan Si Pan, Sapa, Vietnam, 2000m, courtesy of Kelly Price.

Loepa diversiocellata male (95mm), Fan Si Pan, Sapa, Vietnam, 2000m, courtesy of Kelly Price.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call at night. Males fly into the wind and track the pheromone plume with their sophisticated antennae.

Loepa diversiocellata female, Laos, September, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti

Loepa diversiocellata pair, Laos, September, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Franz and Julian Renner send the images below of instars 2-5 from Thailand, Doi Pha Hom Pok 2050 Mae Ai / Chiang Mai, courtesy of Thomas Ihle.

With careful training, you can even get them to "sit up pretty" for food.

Loepa diversiocellata cocoon, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Visit Alan's outstanding larval images Thailand.

Visit Alan's outstanding egg and larval images (all instars) China.

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.

Cissus Parthenocissus quinquefolia.......

Grape Virginia Creeper

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Loepa Index

Goto Asian Pacific Saturniidae Directory

Goto Main Saturniidae Index

NEVA_29_149_NAUMANN_NAESSIG.PDF