Imbrasia epimethea

 

 

Distribution:

West and Central Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to Kenya and south to Angola and Mozambique

Wingspan:

in between 9 and 13 cm 

Season:

continuously in captivity, however moths emerge very irregularly. Synchronizing broods is a nightmare.

Food plants:

Salix, Liquidambar, several Fabaceae (Acacia, Brachystegia, Entada, ...) also Apocynaceae (Funtumia, ...), Annona, Trema, Celtis and Combretum

Rearing:

Not for newcomers.  Keep at room temperature or warmer, in closed plastic containers when young. Older caterpillars can continue in large, plastic containers however more air movement is needed (replace the closed lid by a mesh cover or another breathable fabric) or move to a netted cage. Replace the food often, this species respond very badly to poor quality of food. Do not spray, do not give wet leaves, watch out for condensation. Keep very clean. Do not overcrowd. Slow growing. It can take in between 6 and 9 weeks before they start to pupate (depending very much on the rearing conditions, the warmer the faster). The pupal stage can be very long (more then a year).

Difficulties:

getting the moths to emerge closely together