Procitheronia principalis moth
Common NameProcitheronia principalis moth
Scientific NameProcitheronia principalis
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilyCeratocampinae
Wingspan (mm)115
Primary Colorsorange, brown, yellow
HabitatTropical and subtropical rainforests, humid montane forests
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia)
Host Plantsvarious broadleaf trees and shrubs
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions (nocturnal)
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are typically spiny or horned, feeding on broadleaf trees, and pupate in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsLook for its large size, robust body, and the distinctive reddish-brown and yellowish-orange banded pattern, particularly the irregular central band on the forewings, and the small dark spots near the wing margins.
Description
This is a large, robust moth with a rich reddish-brown ground color, featuring prominent, irregular yellowish-orange bands across both forewings and hindwings. The forewings also display several wavy darker lines and a series of small, dark spots along the subterminal area.
