DISTRIBUTION:

Psilopygida apollinairei (wingspan: males: 44mm; females: 52mm) flies in Colombia; and
Venezuela: Guarico.

This moth was at one time equated with P. walkeri, but in 2011 Brechlin & Meister reinstated it as a distinct species. The pinkish-red suffusions are greatly reduced in apollinairei as compared to walkeri.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Psilopygida apollinairei moths are probably on the wing in September-October.

Larvae probably feed on Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) and Acacia (Acacia farnesiana).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Psilopygida apollinairei moths extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males which become active around 11:30 pm.

Psilopygida apollinairei female, Guarico, Venezuela, 52mm,
on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in underground chambers.

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.

Gleditsia triacanthos....... Acacia farnesiana

Honey locust Acacia

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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.

I do not know the source of the genus name "Psilopygida", but "Psilo" in Greek means bald, and "pygida" probably refers to the moths' posterior.

The species name "apollinairei" is probably honourific for Apollinaire.

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