DISTRIBUTION:

The ground color of Rothschilida erycina nigrescens is dark purple. They tend to occur at lower altitude and males fly very late at night (usually after 3:00am). Larvae (very nice looking by the way, one of the prettiest of the genus in my humble opinion-- Chris Conlan) can be raised in captivity rather easily on cherry. R. erycina occurs in its various subspecies from Mexico to
Argentina.

R. erycina nigrescens is known from Central American from
Costa Rica: Alajuela (JH), Puntarenas, Guanacaste (rain forest and dry forest; DJ), Heredia, Limon, and
Panama down the western slope of the Andes from
western Colombia: Antioquia, Choco and Nariono and probably Valle del Cauca and Cauca;
and western Ecuador: Esmeraldas (HK), possibly Imbabura and Carchi and Pichincha (CL; 650m) and Manabi (CL; 400m) and Canar (LTR) to
Peru ??.

R. erycina nigrescens has been placed in the subgroup of six species characterized by 1) two longitudinal white stripes on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, 2) two or three subapical spots on the forewing and 3) a white prothoracic collar: jacobaeae; condor; tucumani; erycina; belus; hopfferi.

Jacobaeae, condor and tucumani have large rounded spots, while those of erycina, belus and hopfferi are narrow triangles.

R. erycina nigrescens is smaller than nominate erycina and has a much darker ground colour, but it is still larger and not as dark as subspecies mexicana which is usually identified by its very narrow hyaline spots which are indented on the inward side on all four wings.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens male, Lita (Esmeraldas Province), Ecuador,
February 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens male, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Horst Kach has taken them in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, in early December and also in late April, suggesting two or more broods annually. If I have interpreted Horst's labelling correctly, this species is also on the wing in February.

Cherry is the prefered hostplant for captive rearing.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens female, Ecuador, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Mating occurs in the wee hours of the morning with males on the wing around 3:00 am.

The female stil has the much pronounced forewing apex, but generally her wings are much more rounded.

Rothschilida erycina nigrescens female, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens female, July 13, 2007,
Lita (Esmeraldas Province), Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Goto Spread: Male and Female (recto, verso, pair) courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Visit Rothschildia erycina nigrescens male, female, third, fourth and fith instars and cocoon, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Visit Rothschildia erycina nigrescens female, courtesy of Gary Saunders.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens larva copyright Kirby Wolfe

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens second instar,
Lita, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens third instar,
Lita, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens fifth instar,
Lita, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens, Durango, Ecuador,
February 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens spinning,
Lita, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Rothschildia erycina nigrescens spinning,
Lita, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

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 Prunus

Ailanthus Privet Cherry

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Return to Rothschildia Index

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, erycina, is for Eryx of Sicily who became known to the Romans as Venus Erycina, more commonly known as Venus, the beautiful goddess of love.

The subspecies name, nigrescens is for the very dark colouration of this subspecies.