Cirina forda

Cirina forda (Cirina forda)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — saturniidae

Genus – сirina

Appearance

The older caterpillar is black with a pattern of white and yellow spots on the sides. The caterpillar is covered with hairs.

The wingspan of these butterflies is 75-100 mm. Adults are pale creamy brown with a small darker spot on each hindwing but lacking true eyespots.

Habitat

It is found in western Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

Behavior

There is one generation per year. Older Cirina forda caterpillars emit a green liquid when they are being attacked.

Diet

The larvae feed on Vitellaria paradoxa. In South Africa the favored food plant is the tree Burkea africana.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. The duration of incubation is about a month. The caterpillars should be kept in mesh cages for 6-8 insects.  The caterpillars can be fed with plants from the legume family. The caterpillars develop from one and a half to two months. The older caterpillars should be placed on the bottom of the coconut substrate with a layer of 20 cm, because pupation takes place in the soil. Pupae can enter diapause for up to 9 months. The butterfly's life span is 2-3 days.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary. Adult butterflies of this species do not feed and live off the stocks accumulated during the larval period.