Usta angulata

Usta angulata (Usta angulata)

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

Genus – usta

Appearance

The wingspan of these butterflies is up to 75 mm. Females are larger than males. The body of the butterfly is covered with hairs. Males have feathery antennae. The wings are light grey with darker areas. The hindwings are lighter. There are large eyespots on all the wings.

Habitat

It is found in Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Botswana.

Behavior

Usta angulata is active at night.

Diet

The caterpillars feed on the leaves of Melia from the family Meliaceae, Commiphora from the family Burseraceae, and Sclerocarya from the family Anacardiaceae.

Adult butterflies do not feed.

Reproduction

For their reproduction you need a terrarium with a size of 50 x 50 x 70 cm. If the newborn caterpillars do not begin to feed, they should be placed for 1-2 days in a dark place. It is better to keep the caterpillars in mesh terrariums for 6-8 insects. In the terrarium you need to put a pot with a forage plant. Forage plants should be replaced every day. The temperature is 22-25 ^oC and the humidity is 60-70%. The butterfly's life span is 5-10 days.

In captivity

The mesh terrarium with a size of 50 × 50 × 70 mm is suitable for keeping butterflies. Room temperature is necessary.