DISTRIBUTION:

Isognathus occidentalis (wingspan: males: 102-106mm; females: 112mm), flies in
Venezuela: Amazonas: Yavita,
northern Brazil: Para, and
French Guiana: Piste Coralie; Saint-Georges l'Oyopk; Cacao, Saul.

It is very likely also found in < ahref=SphGuyana.htm>Guyana and Suriname.

Extremely similar to Isognathus excelsior but immediately distinguishable by the brown underside to the abdomen (pure white with paired black spots in Isognathus excelsior).

Proposed as the new replacement name for Isognathus rimosa amazonica, Clark. CATE

Excelsior also seems to have a much greater suffusion of white scales in the outer and upper regions of the forewing, and the black patches in the median area seem much darker in occidentalis than in excelsior.

FLIGHT TIMES:

There are probably several flights throughout the year. It has been taken in French Guiana in

ECLOSION:

Moths emerge from pupae in thin-walled cocoons under leaf litter within 8-24 days of pupation.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Adults nectar at flowers, including petunia.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Females probably lay eggs on leaves of Apocynacea. Himatanthus lancifolius has been reported as a host in Brazil.

Larvae have long tails; colouration suggests they are unpalatable to birds.

The pupae are also quite colourful, and, I suspect, are very lively. Moths generally emerge within 8-24 days of pupation.

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