Genus Cirina Rank Species | ||
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Similar Imbrasia, Anaphe venata, Gynanisa, Rhynchophorus phoenicis, Gynanisa maja | ||
The Pallid Emperor Moth or Shea Defoliator (Cirina forda) is a moth of the Saturniidae family. It is found in western Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.
Adults are pale creamy-brown with a small darker spot on each hindwing but lacking true eye-spots. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on Vitellaria paradoxa. They may cause heavy defoliation in Ghana and Nigeria. The larvae are consumed in Nigeria. They feed on Crossopteryx febrifuga in Bas-Congo province, DR Congo where they are also eaten. In South Africa the favoured food plant is the tree Burkea africana.
Pupation takes place in soft soil or sand at the base of the host plant.
References
Cirina forda Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA