DISTRIBUTION:

The Schausiella spitzi moth (wingspan: males: 59-76mm; females: 87-94-102mm) flies in central Brazil: Federal District, Goias, Mato Grosso.

Males have an entirely yellow body except for a small spot, outlined in black, on the metathorax.

Schausiella spitzi male (dark), 71mm, Alto Rio, Arinos, Mato Grosso, Brazil, courtesy of Carlos Mielke.

Schausiella spitzi female, 102mm, Panaltina, Distrito Federal, Brazil, courtesy of Carlos Mielke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Schausiella spitzi moths are on the wing in January and September, suggesting at least two broods. In Mato Grosso the flight seems to be from October through March with males coming to mv lights much more readily than females.

Eurides Furtado reports larvae have been reared on Hymenaea courbaril.

Schausiella spitzi male, Eurides Furtado.

Schausiella spitzi female, Eurides Furtado.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Schausiella spitzi 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.

Schausiella spitzi, Santa Maria, Brazil, courtesy of Vernon Evans.

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.

Schausiella spitzi larvae, Eurides Furtado.

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 courbaril......

jatoba, copal, red locus, locust, copinol, Brazilian cherry

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Schausiella spitzi male (verso), Santa Maria, Brazil
October 15, 1972, Leg. Bill Houtz, courtesy of Vernon Evans.

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 "spitzi" is probably ?? honouorific for a collector named Spitz.

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