DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia obliqua (wingspan: males: 67-88mm; females: 97-110mm) is widespread in
Peru: Puno (HT); Huanuco, Pasco, Junin, Madre de Dios;
Bolivia: La Paz, Santa Cruz; and
northwards to eastern Ecuador: Sucumbios, Napo, Morona-Santiago, Zamora Chinchipe and probably Pastaza and Orellana;
Brazil: Distrito Federal;
Venezuela: Bolivar; and
French Guiana: Roura, Kaw, Saint-Jean-du-Maroni, Saul.

I suspect it is also present in Guyana and Suriname and would fly in habitats with elevations of 300-1400m.

In 2008, Brechlin and Meister described many new Pseudodirphia species. The range of P. obliqua is probably much more limited than indicated above.

Obliqua-like specimens from Bolivar, Venezuela, are most likely P. bolivaria;
from French Guaina, are most likely P. obguayana;
from Beni, Bolivia, are most likely obbenniana;
from Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, are most likely P. obecuatoriana or P. septentrionalis;
from Huanuco, Peru, are most likely P. obhuancensis, and from San Martin, Peru, are most likely P. obmartiana.

I think true obliqua may be limited to southeastern Peru: Puno and northwestern Bolivia: Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. However, it is possible that obliqua is sympatric with some if not all of the similar species. Bill Oehlke

Psuedodirphia obliqua male, Pasco, Peru,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Pseudodirphia obliqua, Tena, Napo, Ecuador, courtesy of Steve Ife.

Note the arced am line and the dark spot internal to it and along the inner margin.

The thorax is yellowish-brown to light grey. The abdomen is yellow, ringed with black.

The forewing basal area is white while the median and post median areas are yellowish-beige with brown scaling. There is more extensive brown scaling in the subterminal band. The broadly preapical, thin black pm line is straight to slightly convex and meets the inner margin near its midpoint. The veins are accented with yellow where they cut through the pm line.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are at least three generations each year with peak flight times occurring in January, March-May, July and again in November-December.

Natural larval hosts are unknown, but Robinia is a likely choice and has been used with success by Kirby Wolfe for other species in this genus.

Lemaire also reports Salix caprea.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plume. Most flight activity for males is from 9:30-11:30 pm.

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 anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Robinia Salix caprea .......

Locust Goat Willow

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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, obliqua is for the oblique pm line.

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