Gastroplakaeis meridionalis

 

 

Distribution:

Reported from Congo (RDC), Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The reared species in the pictures originates from the Dzalanyama forest in Malawi

Wingspan:

females: up to 8  cm, males not more then 5 cm

Season:

in captivity continuously (when kept warm)

Food plants:

Pinus sylvestris is a poorly accepted alternative. Reported wild hosts are Julbernardia and Brachystegia.

Rearing:

Not an easy species. Slow and difficult growing. It can take up to 4 months before they pupate, but this may have something to do with the winter rearing and/or the food plant. Species from the Dzalanyama Forest tend to be difficult in general, meridionalis is not an exception. The pupal stage is short (around 3 weeks at room temperature). Keep dry and warm in well ventilated plastic containers until they are large enough to move to a netted cage. 

Difficulties:

Pinus is a poorly accepted substitute which makes everything difficult