DISTRIBUTION:

The Micragone nyasae moth (wingspan: males: approximately 60-67mm; females: 80mm) flies in
Zimbabwe (confirmed by Rolf Oberprieler) and
eastern Tanzania: West Usambara: Magamba Forest; 1900m, and at elevations from 1200-2200m. The Natural History Museum indicates Nyasaland (Malawi), confirmed by Thierry Bouyer.

Micragone nyasae male, Tanzania: West Usambara: Magamba Forest,
1900m, November 11, 2007, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

Philippe Darge, June 2006 reports specimens taken in Tanga Region of West Usambara Mountains, Magamba Forest, Tanzania in October and December. He also reports them in Morogoro Region in Nguru Mountains, and Uluguru Mountains in November and December. In the Iringa Region they have been taken in March in the Lugenge Forest at elevations of 2212m. In the Mbeya Region in the Rungwe Mountains they have been taken at 1710m in October.

Micragone nyasae males, Tanzania, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in March and September-October and November-December and possibly at other times suggesting at least two or three broods.

In captivity larvae accepted Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolius and passed through six instars to reach 50mm in five to six weeks from emergence from eggs.

Micragone nyasae female, Tanzania: West Usambara: Magamba Forest,
1900m, November 11, 2007, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The female is similar to the male in patterning but is considerably larger. Her forewings are less falcate and show less contrast in colouration.

The forewing outer margin is slightly concave and the apex is rounded.

The outer margins on all wings are scalloped but not as deeply as in the male.

The hindwing anal angle has a dark patch on an otherwise rose-brown wing.

Magamba, West Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti

Teemu Klemetti writes of Magamba Forest, West Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania, "I found there for example: Gonimbrasia alcestris, Epiphora pelosoma, Pseudaphelia roseibrunnea, Micragone nyasae, Pseudobunaea tyrrhena and many others that are still under identification....".

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Hatchlings have a black head, black prothoracic shield and dark scoli on a grey brown body.

The head and shield become orangey-brown in later instars, and the body displays a spiracular line of the same colour, sporting black spiracular ovals. White hairs are quite long especially toward the head.

The fifth and sixth instars have yellow-brown head and shield, with similarly coloured spiracular line with black spiracular ovals. The body is off-white to grey-tan with long white hairs.

Images courtesy of Philippe Darge, on my home computer only.

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.

Schinus molle Schinus terebinthifolius .......

Brazillian Peppertree Florida Holly/Peppertree

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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. 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.

Micragone comes from the Greek words for a small contest, according to Pinhey.

The species name, 'nyasae', is honourific for a woman or region named Nyasa.

Micragone nyasae female with digital repairs, courtesy of Philippe Darge,
on my home computer only.