DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia hopfferi (wingspan: males: 112mm; females: // forewing length: males: 60-68mm; females: probably larger) flies in neotropical
Peru: Puno ( more likely R. hopfferi hopfflapaziana);
Argentina: Misiones, Corrientes,
Bolivia: La Paz ( more likely R. hopfferi hopfflapaziana); maybe Pando; possibly Cochabamba and Santa Cruz;
eastern Paraguay: Itapua (PS);
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais (LV), Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul.

Rothschildia hopfferi male, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Rothschildia hopfferi 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.

Roths. h. hopfflapaziana male note the much larger fleshy-pink toned areas in the submarginal sections of all wings Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia probably Puno, Peru

Roths. h. hopfflapaziana female note the much larger fleshy-pink toned areas in the submarginal sections of all wings Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia probably Puno, Peru

Rothschildia hopfferi male fw costa lighter than gc browner hw submarginal areas southeastern Brazil Paraguay northeastern Argentina

Rothschildia hopfferi female fw costa lighter than gc browner hw submarginal areas southeastern Brazil Paraguay northeastern Argentina

Rothschildia hopfferi male, Paraguay, courtesy/copyright Ulf Drechsel.

Rothschildia hopfferi male, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Hopfferi is distinguished by its large hyaline spots and light yellowish-brown ground colour. The forewing apex is also quite elongate.

Rothschildia hopfferi courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are possibly three generations annually in Peru with peak flights in January, May-June and again in October-November.

Larry Valentine reports February 4, 2011, and October 14, 2011, flights in Itanhandu, southeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This species will probably accept Ligustrum (privet), lilac, ailanthus and oak. Kirby Wolfe has had success rearing them on cherry.

Rothschildia hopfferi female, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre

Rothschildia hopfferi female, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Rothschildia hopfferi female, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Like most of the Rothschildia, except for the diurnal zacateca, this species calls and pairs at night. This species seldom comes to light sources. Females are most active from 11:00 pm until 12:30 am; males from 1:00 until 3:00 pm.

Visit Rothschildia hopfferi male (recto and verso), Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, February 4, 2011, October 14, 2011, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. A strong peduncle with a few support silk strands secures the structure while the larva continues "padding its nest" with a continuous back-and-forth movement of the head.

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

Rothschildia hopfferi first instar courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia hopfferi second instar courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia hopfferi third and fourth instars courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia hopfferi fourth instar head courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia hopfferi fifth instar courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia hopfferi (final) fifth instar, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Rothschildia hopfferi fifth instar, southeastern Brazil, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

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.

Ailanthus altissima ..... Ligustrum Prunus Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet Cherry 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, hopfferi, is honourific for Hopffer.

Rothschildia hopfferi male, Brazil,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia hopfferi female, Brazil,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia hopfferi