DISTRIBUTION:

Schausiella cuscensis (wingspan: males: 81mm; females: mm // forewing length: 40-42males: mm; females: ) flies in
Peru: Cusco.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Schausiella cuscensis moths are on the wing in November-December-January-February, and they have been taken at elevations from 1900-2400m. There are probably additional flight months. Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Schausiella cuscensis moths attract the more colourful males at night with an airborrne pheromone. This scent is distributed into the wind from a structure extended from the tip of the abdomen.

Males fly into the wind in a zigzag fashion and use their antennae, bipectinate for the basal two-thirds, to locate the "calling" females.

This male antennae structure is definitive for the Ceratocampinae.

Females begin their ovipositing flights at dusk after mating the previous night.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Typical of most Ceratocampinae, the eggs are slightly flattened, yellow and translucent.

After just a few days, the developing embryos can be seen through the egg shells. Incubation time of eight days is typcial.

Larvae emerge with well developed thoracic spikes and thrash about when disturbed. Packaging within the egg shell must be quite efficient to allow for such magnificent development.

The spines practically disappear in the final instar and green larvae become very chunky with a "pebbly" skin surface. Larvae descend tree trunks and excavate subterranean chambers in which to pupate.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Embelia laeta Hymenaea altissima......... Hymenaea courbaril

Embelia laeta Locust West Indian Locust

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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. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

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

The genus name "Schausiella" is probably ?? honourific for Schaus.

The species name "cuscensis" is indicative of a specimen type locale in Cusco, Peru.

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