DISTRIBUTION:

The Pseudobunaea tyrrhena perchromatum moth (wingspan: males 97-128mm; females: 122mm) flies from northeastern to southwestern Tanzania, Africa.

With the advent of DNA barcoding analysis (2008), many new Saturniidae species have been named, including many Pseudobunaea species from the various mountain ranges in Tanzania.

The following link, Tanzania Pseudobunaea Comparison Chart, will hopefully help me and others to determine species as they become available for posting.

I will be using information on Wiki Species and scientific journal publications to post information and write my own descriptions of the Tanzanian Pseudobunaea. If you have digital images that you can submmit with data (wingspan, elevation, date, precise location), I will do my best to confirm your ids or offer suggestions, and will incorporate your images, credited to you, into the respective files. Please help improve the scope and accuracy of this site by submitting images. All photos remain the property of respective photographers.

Magamba, West Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti

Teemu Klemetti writes of Magamba Forest, West Usambara Mountains, northeastern Tanzania, "I found there for example: Gonimbrasia alcestris, Epiphora pelosoma, Pseudaphelia roseibrunnea, Micragone nyasae, Pseudobunaea tyrrhena and many others that are still under identification....".

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The Pseudobunaea tyrrhena perchromatum moth flies in the months of November-December-January-February-March.

Larvae probably feed on Brachystegia randi, Pterocarpus, Uapaca and Berlinia. Brachystegia spiciformis and Populus would probably also serve as larval hosts.

Pseudobunaea tyrrhena perchromatum, Tanzania, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Pseudobunaea tyrrhena perchromatum, Tanzania, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Eclosion is from underground pupae.

Both sexes fly at night with the males coming in to lights around midnight, the scenting time of the females.

Pseudobunaea tyrrhena perchromatum, female, Tanzania, courtesy of Eric van Schayck

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

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.

Berlinia Brachystegia randi...... Pterocarpus Uapaca Brachystegia spiciformis...... Populus

Mnondo Msasa Mukwa Wild loquat Msasa Poplar

Return to Pseudobunaea Index

Return to Main Index