DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia hesperus betis (wingspan 170mm) flies in southeastern Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo.

The specimen listed by Vladimir Izersky from Peru also looks like Rothschildia hesperus betis, showing the forewing hyaline spot connecting the antemedial and postmedial lines.

Rothschildia hesperus betis, pair, Peru, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species will probably accept Ligustrum (privet), lilac, ailanthus and oak.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING: Like most of the Rothschildia, except for the diurnal zacateca, this species calls and pairs at night. Females come to lights between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am; males are on the wing from 11:30 pm until 3:00 am.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

There are both inner and outer cocoons, each with a relatively long valve to facilitate eclosions.

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.

Ailanthus altissima..... Ligustrum Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet Oak Common lilac

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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.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

"Rothschildia" is chosen to honour one of the Rothschilds, possibly William.

The species name, hesperus, is the name for the planet Venus as the evening star.

I do not know the etymology for the subspecies choice of betis.