DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudaphelia simplex (wingspan: males: 72mm; females: probably larger) flies in tropical Africa, including Uganda, Gabon, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and probably the People's Republic of the Congo.

Thierry Bouyer, 1999, equates many moths with Pseudaphelia simplex: rebeli Gaede, 1915; basiflava Joicey & Talbot, 1924; marginilinea Joicey & Talbot, 1924; ochracea Joicey & Talbot, 1924; margilutea Bouvier, 1927.

The moth depicted below, from Uganda appears quite different from the Pseudaphelia simplex at the top of the page. It is quite possible that the darker scales quickly fall off in flight.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The Pseudaphelia simplex moth probably flies in August-September and possibly at other times. Cabintom reports a February flight in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Pseudaphelia simplex margilutea, Uganda,
Lepidoptera Types of the Royal Museum for Central Africa

Cabintom provides the following images (recto and verso) from Mbogi, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and reports the male was taken during daylight hours, suggesting a diurnal calling period for females. The black antennae and very white ground colour also support a diurnal calling period.

Pseudaphelia simplex male, 72mm (* appears larger), Mbogi, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
(1°41'N, 30°07'E); February 22, 2014, 1250m, courtesy of Thomas Desloges, taken during daylight hours.

Pseudaphelia simplex male, verso, 72mm, Mbogi, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
February 22, 2014, 1250m, courtesy of Thomas Desloges, taken during daylight hours.

Pseudaphelia simplex habitat, Mbogi, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
February 22, 2014, 1250m, courtesy of Thomas Desloges.

* I believe recto and verso images are of the same moth. Note the effects of distance of the moth from the ruler/measuring tape, creating a "larger than life" specimen in the recto image.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from subterranean pupae.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Pseudaphelia simplex females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their highly developed antennae to track the scent plume to locate the calling females.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae leave the host plant to excavate tunnels into the earth. Pupation is in a subterranean chamber.

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. 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 Pseudaphelia, but Pinhey indicates it means "false simplicity (Greek) possibly for its camouflage". Aphelia is the point on the orbit of a celestial body that is farthest from the sun. In these moths the yellow eyespot or "sun" is at the outer edge of the cell.

The species name simplex refers to the plain outer line. Subspecies margilutea has a much more ornate outer margin.