DISTRIBUTION:

Orthogonioptilum monochromum (wingspan: males: 55-65mm; females: 65-78mm) flies in Cameroon (common in southern and central Cameroon), southeastern Nigeria, Gabon and southwestern Republic of Central Africa: Sangha: Ndoki PN (SA#12). I suspect it also flies in Equatorial Guinea including Bioko Island.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum, Sud Province, Cameroon, 55mm,
courtesy of Otso Reunanen, id by Bill Oehlke.

The male forewing is quite falcate and the hindwing is very rounded. Basic ground colour is a uniform dull brown to olive brown with the transverse line distinct. Cell spots are very small and usually single.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum male, Cameroon,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id by B. Oehlke

Orthogonioptilum monochromum male, wingspan: 62mm, Elone (Sud Province) Cameroon,
July 2006, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, identification by Bill Oehlke.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum verso, wingspan: 62mm, Elone (Sud Province) Cameroon,
July 2006, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, identification by Bill Oehlke.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum ?? male, (67mm) Elone, Cameroon,
courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, id by B. Oehlke

The paler specimen from Elone, Cameroon, is a bit larger than indicated by Darge, but it seems a good match (although lighter and larger) for what flies in the area. O. obamba has a greater size (66-69mm), but has not been reported so far to the east in Cameroon, and it is generally quite rare. I have also posted this moth to the O. obamba page, however. I notice an offset in the transverse lines from the forewing to the hindwing consistent with Darge's image of O. obamba, and he mentions it flies with O. bernaudi which was also taken from the immediate area.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably flies in March, May, July and October-November.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum larval hosts are unknown.

Orthogonioptilum monochromum female, Cameroon, courtesy of Eric van Schayck

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The female has the forewing apex greatly extended with a thin strip. The anal angle of the hindwing is very clearly lobed. The body and wings are dark like those of the male, but with a bit of a reddish tinge. The transverse line is hard to see, but the other lines are a bit more distinct. On the forewing there are two greyish areas.

The windows on the forewing consist of a larger circular hyaline spot with a dark scaled dot near its center, bridged over by two smaller hyaline areas. On the hindwing, the larger spot is oval and a little extended. There is some grey scaling along the inner margin.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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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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 Orthogonioptilum refers to the nearly right angle at the anal angle of the forewing.

The species name is for the very uniform, single colour of this moth.