DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia imperialis (wingspan: males: 102mm; females: larger) flies in
western Colombia: Valle; and
western Ecuador: Pichincha, in low elevation hyperhumid forests (up to 1000m).

The forewing is bright yellow and slightly elongate. Lines are white and the pm line is heavily bordered with black away from the body and narrowly bordered with black on the body side. The hindwing is a uniform pinkish-red with very faint markings.

Pseudodirphia imperialis male, courtesy of All Leps Barcode of Life

Pseudodirphia imperialis male, courtesy of All Leps Barcode of Life

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species probably broods continuously in three to four month cycles. Specimens have been taken in February-June, August-September-October and November-December.

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plume.

At rest, moths fold wings over the body in typical Hemileucinae style.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters or rings. Larvae are gregarious and are well equipped with urticating spines. A light, single-walled cocoon is spun among leaf litter. 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. 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.

Pseudodirphia was chosen as the genus name as these moths are very similar to those in the Dirphia genus.

The species name, imperialis, means powerful.