DISTRIBUTION:

Lebeau's Rothschildia (wingspan: 3 1/2 - 4 15/16 inches (90-126mm // Mfwl: 59-63mm; F: larger) flies in northern Venezuela: Federal District, Aragua, Miranda, Bolivar, probably Guarico and Anzoategui.

Racheli and Racheli, 2006, indicate the nominate subspecies * flies in western Ecuador: Esmeraldas, Pichincha, Los Rios, Manabi, Cotopaxi, Bolivar and Canar.

Possibly ??? it also flies in Colombia??

* With the advent of DNA barcoding analysis several very similar species have been designated:

Rothschildia lebtolimaiana, Tolima, Colombia;
Rothschildia lebecuatoriana lebecuatoriana, western Ecuador: Esmeraldas, Imbabura, Guayas, Pichincha, Canar; western Colombia: Larogosa?? (Possibly Antioquia: Zaragoza;)
Rothschildia lebecuatoriana eloroiana southwestern Ecuador: Eloro;
Rothschildia vanschaycki, Trinidad and Tobago: Port Of Spain;
Rothschildia lebeau amacurensis, eastern Venezuela.

It is posible, even likely, that lebeau is limited to Venezuela.

Rothschildia inca inca was omnce treated as a subspecies of lebeau, but has been elevated to full species status. Two additional subspecies have been designated:
R. inca incecuatoriana Brechlin & Meister, 2012, eastern Ecuador: Pastaza; Zamora-Chinchipe; Tungurahua; Napo; Morona Santiago; Sucumbios;
R. inca incjunensis Brechlin & Meister, 2012, Peru: Junin.

All of these moths are very similar, and in may cases DNA barcoding analysis may be necessary for precise determinations.

Rothschildia lebeau lebeau belongs to a group of four species: lebeau, cincta, prionia, paucidentata. All four species lack white scales on the outer margin of the hindwings. In lebeau the postmedian line is straight and only slightly dentate and irregularly waved in the area between the costa and the outer angle of the hyaline spot.

Rothschildia lebeau female, Lita, Ecuador, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are probably two broods from February-April and from September-November.

Larvae feed on a wide range of native and introduced plants including lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fagara), Mexican ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana), willow (Salix), peach (Prunus persica), citrus (Citrus), and acacia (Acacia).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults emerge in the early evening, and mating occurs from about 10 PM to midnight. There is considerable variation in colouration from chocolate brown to red/orange brown.

Leroy Simon photo.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in the evening on host plant leaves in rows of three to six. Young caterpillars feed in groups while older ones are solitary feeders. Photo by Dan janzen.

Fifth instar larvae get very chunky with black and white diagonal stripes on a bright green body. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Rothschildia lebeau fifth instar, Lita, Ecuador, 870m, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Rothschildia lebeau lebeau (female), Venezuela, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia lebeau lebeau (female), Venezuela, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia lebeau lebeau (female), Venezuela, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

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 Casearia corymbosa Citrus Exostema mexicanum Fraxinus Ligustrum Prunus serotina Prunus Rhus larina Salix Schinus terebinthifolius..... Spondias mombin Spondias purpurea Zanthoxylum fagara Zanthoxylum setulosum Zuelania guidonia

Chinese tree of Heaven Casearia Citrus Princewood Ash Privet Wild/Black cherry Cherry Laurel sumac Willow Brazil peppertree Yellow mombin Purple mombin Wild lime prickly ash Wild lime prickly ash Tamay

The hyaline spots are well illustrated for clarity in this shot by Leroy Simon.

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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, lebeau, is honourific for Lebeau.