DISTRIBUTION: Isognathus excelsior (Wing span: males: 88mm; females: 108mm), flies in Colombia; Venezuela; to northwestern Brazil: Para. It is also found in Guyana: Omai; Suriname and French Guiana: Kaw. CATE reports it also flies in Ecuador.

Isognathus excelsior is distinguished from all other species of Isognathus by the pure white underside to the abdomen. CATE

There also seems to be an extensive suffusion of whitish scales in the upper two-thirds of the post median, subterminal and terminal areas of the forewings.

Isognathus excelsior male, Para, Brazil,
on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES:

There are probably several flights throughout the year. Specimens have been taken in French Guiana in February and August.

Isognathus excelsior, Benjamin Constant, Brasil, courtesy of Frederik Goussey.

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.

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

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

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