DISTRIBUTION:

Melanocera widenti, flies in Kenya.

The genus name, Melanocera, comes from the relatively large black (melano) antennae (cera=horn) that these moths possess.

Melanocera widenti lacks the white am line on the forewing. The white convex line is present on the similar Melanocera sufferti.

Melanocera widenti male, courtesy of Franz Ziereis.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION:

Moths emerge from pupae in subterranean chambers excavated by the larvae.

Melanocera widenti (female), Kenya, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.
http://www.saturniidae-mundi.de/Oschayck/schayck.htm

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females emit an airbourne pheromone to "call" in the males.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

At maturity the caterpillar will descend the hostplant stems or trunk and dig an underground chamber in which to pupate.

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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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 Melanocera means "waxy black" and refers to the antennae colouration of the specimen type menippe.

The species name is honourific for Wident.