SUBFAMILY HEMILEUCINAE: GENUS HYLESIA
The genus Hylesia is perhaps the most complex of all the Paraguayan Saturniid genera. Species limits are not well-defined and the group is in urgent need of review. To further confound the problem there is marked sexual dimorphism, and in at least one species, the endemic paraguayensis, the female is unknown. Seven species have been reported from Paraguay but given our current lack of understanding of the group that number is sure to change once species limits are clarified. The most distinctive species are scortina and metapyrrha (with prominent discal spots) and ebalus (pinkish colouration).
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Thanks to Bill Oehlke and Ulf Drechsel for assistance with Emperor Moth identification.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on the page were provided by Paul Smith and Ulf Drechsel and are used with permission.
Special thanks to Ulf Drechsel for permission to use images from his site www.pybio.org.
Ulf is "el capo" of Saturniids in Paraguay and anybody with an interest in this group should check out his web page for additional information.
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
FIGURE 2b

FIGURE 2b
Gallery 2 Hylesia metapyrrha
Distribution - Itapúa (www.pybio.org).
Host Plants - no information.
Wingspan - males 41-62mm, females 62-72mm. (Oehlke World´s Largest Saturniidae Site).
FIGURE 2a - Hylesia metapyrrha female dorsal - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith July 2008).
FIGURE 2b - Hylesia metapyrrha female ventral - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith July 2008).
Thanks to Bill Oehlke and Ulf Drechsel for assistance with Emperor Moth identification.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on the page were provided by Paul Smith, Karina Atkinson and Para La Tierra are used with permission.
Special thanks to Ulf Drechsel for permission to use images from his site www.pybio.org.
Ulf is "el capo" of Saturniids in Paraguay and anybody with an interest in this group should check out his web page for additional information.
FIGURE 3a

FIGURE 3a
FIGURE 3b

FIGURE 3b
Gallery 3 Hylesia scortina
Distribution - Guairá, Itapúa (www.pybio.org).
Host Plants - no information.
Wingspan - males 33-51mm, females 39-51mm. (Oehlke World´s Largest Saturniidae Site).
FIGURE 3a - Hylesia scortina male dorsal - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith July 2008).
FIGURE 3b - Hylesia scortina male ventral - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith July 2008).
FIGURE 5a

FIGURE 5a
FIGURE 5b

FIGURE 5b
FIGURE 5c

FIGURE 5c
Gallery 5 Hylesia sp.
For more Paraguayan Hylesia of uncertain specific designation see www.pybio.org.
FIGURE 5a - Hylesia sp female at rest - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith April 2010).
FIGURE 5b - Hylesia sp female - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith April 2010).
This specimen is notable for the lack of postmedial and antemedial lines. It apparently does not fit the description of any known species.
FIGURE 5c - Hylesia sp female - Hotel Tirol, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 4a

FIGURE 4a
FIGURE 4b

FIGURE 4b
Gallery 4 Hylesia remex
Distribution - Guairá, Paraguarí, San Pedro (www.pybio.org).
Host Plants - Porlieria (Oehlke World´s Largest Saturniidae Site).
Wingspan - males 35-41mm, females 46mm. (Oehlke World´s Largest Saturniidae Site).
FIGURE 4a - Hylesia remex male - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Jeni Oborn May 2010 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 4b - Hylesia remex male - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Karina Atkinson June 2010 - Para La Tierra).
FIGURE 1a

FIGURE 1a
Gallery 1 Hylesia ebalus
Distribution - Caaguazú, Cordillera, Guairá, Paraguarí, San Pedro (www.pybio.org).
Host Plants - no information.
Wingspan - males 34-45mm, females 47-62mm. (Oehlke World´s Largest Saturniidae Site).
FIGURE 1a - Hylesia ebalus female - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Karina Atkinson September 2010 - Para La Tierra).