DISTRIBUTION:

The Schausiella longispina moth (wingspan: males: 77-83mm; females: larger) flies in southeastern Peru: Puno; Madre de Dios; and
Bolivia: La Paz; in tropical rain forest at elevations of 300 - 700 m. The range is possibly more extensive than indicated.

Examination of genitalia is necessary to distinguish from polybia.

Schausiella polybia male, Yasuni National Park (Napo), Ecuador,
October 1, 2003, courtesy/copyright Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson

Schausiella polybia female, Yasuni National Park (Napo), Ecuador,
October 1, 2003, courtesy/copyright Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson

Please note that Claude Lemaire indicates male S. polybia and male S. longispina can only be determined by examination of genitalia. The female polybia displayed in Lemaire's Ceratocampinae has a pm line much more preapical than that displayed in the Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson image above. For that reason and for the geography of these two specimens, male and female, I believe they are more likely Schausiella longispina, but recent publications, Entomo-Satsphingia 2013, indicate longispina is limited to southeastern Peru and northwestern Bolivia.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Schausiella longispina moths are on the wing from October until December.

Larvae probably feed on Hymenaea altissima.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Schausiella longispina 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 larvae become very chunky. 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 foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Hymenaea altissima.........

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 "longispina" is probably ?? indicative of a male genitalic structure, distinguishing this species from S. polybia.