Pseudobunaea tyrrhena

 

 

Distribution:

most of sub-Saharan Africa, from Guinea to Kenya and south to South-Africa in several subspecies

Wingspan:

in between  11 and 15 cm 

Season:

one to two flights annually during the wet season. In captivity more or less continuously depending on temperature and humidity

Food plants:

Quercus, Fagus, Carpinus, Corylus and many more

Rearing:

An easy species.  Keep warm (minimum room temperature), in spacious well ventilated plastic containers when young, but netted cages when they've reached the final instar The caterpillars tolerate company very well, but need more space in the final instar. Keep dry (avoid condensation and wet leaves, do not spray).  Fast growing. Ready to pupate within 5 to 6 weeks. When ready to pupate move to individual plastic containers lined with paper towels until they have pupated. The pupal can be short when kept warm (approximately 4 to 5 weeks) but also several months when the rearing conditions are suboptimal.

Difficulties:

none