DISTRIBUTION:

Orthogonioptilum ochraceum (wingspan: males: 57-62mm; females: 73-85) flies in northern Gabon, northern Congo, northern Zaire and southern Cameroon.

O. ochraceum is equated with conspectum and exspectatum by Bouyer, 1995.

In the male, the forewings are slightly falcate with a rounded apex. The ground colour is reddish-beige with grey scaling near the apex, around the dark markings on the costa and highlighting the antemedial line.

The post median line is not strong and the transverse line is practically non-existent with a trace toward the apex.

There is also some grey scaling toward the hindwing anal angle.

Each wing has a single "point of light", and the hindwing has two additional miniscule points.

Orthogonioptilum ochraeceum, male, Elone, Cameroon,
November, 2006, wingspan: 62mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner.

The underside is uniform and clear.

Orthogonioptilum conspectum conspectum = ochraceum male (verso), Congo, October
Lepidoptera Types of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

Orthogonioptilum ochraeceum, male (verso), Elone, Cameroon,
November, 2006, wingspan: 62mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner.

In the female, the forewing outer margin is slightly convex and the apex projects slightly. The colouration and patterning is like that of the male. On each wing there is one principal "point of light" with a small island in the center (sometimes indented on the bottom wing). There are one or two much smaller points above each main one.

I have tentatively identified the following moth as a female O. ochraceum. Although a bit large, it is also a good match for O. ianthinum and for O. neoprox. Philippe Darge indicates it is probably O. neoprox, common in the area of southern Cameroon, and he is probably right.

Orthogonioptilum ochraceum ?? female, (wingspan 83mm), June 2006,
Elone, Sud Province, Cameroon, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner,
more likely Orthogonioptilum neoprox (tentative id by Philippe Darge).

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

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

Orthogonioptilum ochraceum larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Orthogonioptilum ochraceum, Sud Province, Cameroon,
June, courtesy of Otso Reunanen.

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 'ochraceum' refers to the colour of this species. It can mean yellow, golden, or dull red or reddish brown.