DISTRIBUTION:

Lonomia parobliqua (wingspan: males: mm; females: 96mm (NV)) flies in
Paraguay: Alto Parana, collected by Ulf Drechsel, 2002-02-15;
Paraguay: Caazapa: Colonia Neufeld, -26.4667, -55.9167, collected by Ulf Drechsel, 2008-11-02;
Paraguay: Alto Parana: Estancia Dimas, -35.5356, -55.2178, collected by Ulf Drechsel, 2005-08-01;
Paraguay: Alto Parana: Itabo, -24.95, -54.5175, collected by U. Drechsel, 2005-10-07;
Paraguay: Alto Parana: Itabo, -25.25, -54.5175, collected by U. Drechsel, 2005-07-10.
Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul: Padre Eterno, -29.5167, -51.0833, 2005-01-18;
Brazil: Santa Catarina: Rio Vermelho, -26.0333, -49.1167, 2005-02-15;
Brazil: Santa Catarina: Sao Bento do Sul, 1984-09-01;
Brazil: Santa Catarina: Sao Bento do Sul: Rio Vermelho, collected by R. Foerster, 2002-04-01.
Argentina: Misiones: Dos de Mayo, 2008-03-01;
Argentina: Misiones: San Pedro, collected by R. Foerster, 2005-11-01;
Argentina: Misiones, -27.0167, -54.6833, 2005-(03-05; 09-28);
Argentina: Misiones: Cerro Tigre, Ruta 14, 2002-12-01;
Uruguay: Jose Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay, February 22, 2005, Carlos Marzano.

Lonomia obliqua/paraobliqua male, Brazil, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Lonomia paraobliqua male, Santa Catarina, Brazil, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Lonomia paraobliqua male, Brazil, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Based on DNA barcoding analysis, those specimens from Rio de Janeiro north in Brazil probably remain classified as Lonomia obliqua, while those specimens from Santa Catarina south into Uruguay and northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay are probably the recently described species Lonomia paraobliqua. I do not know where the precise transition between obliqua and paraobliqua would take place. (Bill Oehlke)

I suspect Lonomia paraobliqua replaces what were previously known as Lonomia obliqua in southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.

Lonomia obliqua (probably L. paraobliqua), Caazapa, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel.

Lonomia obliqua (probably L. paraobliqua), Guaira, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel.

Based on DNA barcoding analysis, those specimens from Rio de Janeiro north in Brazil probably remain classified as Lonomia obliqua, while those specimens from Santa Catarina south into Uruguay and northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay are probably the recently described species Lonomia paraobliqua. I do not know where the precise transition between obliqua and paraobliqua would take place. (Bill Oehlke)

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February, July-August, October-November in Paraguay (Mirror).
Specimens have been taken in January-February, April and September in southeastern Brazil (Mirror).
Specimens have been taken in March and November-December in Misiones, Argentina.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

Lonomia obliqua/parobliqua female, Brazil, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Lonomia parobliqua female, 96mm, Campo Ramon, Misiones, Argentina,
January 23, 2015, 330m, courtesy of Nigel Venters,
tentative id and significant digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

Lonomia parobliqua female (verso), 96mm, Campo Ramon, Misiones, Argentina,
January 23, 2015, 330m, courtesy of Nigel Venters,
tentative id and significant digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters of 6-40+ on hostplant twigs. Larvae have urticating spines and are gregarious, especially in the early instars. Visit Lonomia obliqua (probably L. paraobliqua), larva, pupae, adult, Dos de Mayo, Misiones, Argentina, courtesy of Reinhard Foerster.

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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