DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudodirphia peruviana (wingspan: males: 60-67mm; females: larger) flies in
Peru: Cusco, Puno; and
Ecuador: Napo, Morona-Santiago and probably Pastaza.
It also flies in
Colombia: Cundinamarca and Santander, and possibly in Meta, Caqueta and Putamayo.

The thorax is brown to orange brown with some yellow on the tegulae. The abdomen is yellow, ringed with black.

The slightly elongate forewing, except for the lines, is almost a uniform orangey-brown. The white am line is almost straight and is narrowly outlined in black outwardly. The very thin pm line is a discontinuous white, straight, and it is also narrowly outlined in black outwardly. There is a slight white enlargement of the pm line just below the costa.

The veins are black with distinct yellow/orange where they intersect the pm line, distinguishing this species from P. andicola. Its smaller size helps to distinghuish it from P. sanctimartinensis. If flies with andicola and thiaucourti.

This species is taken at elevations of 400-2230m.

Pseudodirphia peruviana male, Rio Venado, Junin, Peru,
January 3, 2009, 1050m, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are probably at least two generations annually with peak flights in December-January-February, and April-May-June.

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.

Pseudodirphia peruviana female, Rio Venado, Junin, Peru,
January 3, 2009, 1050m, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky,
tentative id by Bill Oehlke, many females very similar.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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 .......

Locust

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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, peruviana is for the collection site in Puno, Peru.