DISTRIBUTION:

Ubaena sabunii flies in the Rubeho Mountains of eastern Tanzania. Minetti Robert reports it is diurnal.

Thierry Bouyer (April 2005) wrote me indicating this moth, previously presented on WLSS as Ubaena granti is the published Ubaena sabunii. Perhaps granti was being considered, but apparently never published.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Ubaena sabunii larvae probably feed on Pinus patula and Pinus radiata.

Ubaena sabunii female, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti

These Ubaena specimens are from the Rubeho Mountains of Tanzania.

The specimens look much like Ubaena dolabella, but the dark bands are stronger, the hindwings have more red color and ocelli seem larger in these specimens.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Eclosion is from underground pupae.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Larvae pupate under soil near base of trees.

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.

I do not know the source of Ubaena, but it probaly comes from a latinized form of Ubena, a region which lies in Tanzania just north-east of Lake Nyasa. Pinhey indicates it is an anagram of Bunaea.

The species name is honourific for Dr. George Sabuni, responsible for nature protection in the Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) (info from Thierry Bouyer).

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.

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