I started these most wanted posts last year only because I got infected with that artificial/commercial, feel good end of the year holiday spirit. Thanks to a very relaxing stay in Malawi, this year most of those annoying Christmas/New Year nonsens got past me without noticing. I even thought of not writing my wanted list for 2017. After all, how many species of such a list does someone really manages to get? Well, looking back on my 2016 list, quite a lot actually. No, I did not get any Anthelidae. Those will probably stay on my list forever. And I did not get my numbers 2, 7 and 10 either. However, I did not do so bad on the rest. I had some more Asian, European and American Lappets. I started a brood of the African Gonometa nysa late autumn, so that covers numbers 3, 4 and 5. Also, plenty of Automeris species in 2016 (my number 6) and I even got a Maltagorea species to pair. Those eggs hatched a few days ago. So, number 8, check. For my number 9, I had to go to Africa myself. Not for an Eupterote species, but for a Phiala. It's a monkey moth so it counts, even though the eggs still have to hatch and it technically will be a 2017 brood, but who cares. Let's see if I can do better in 2017. Here's the new most wanted list.
1. Anthelidae
Like I said, the Australian Lappets will probably remain on the number one spot forever. It's next to impossible to obtain Australian species. The few that do make it to Europe are Saturnids. I guess I will have to go to Australia one day and catch a few females myself.
2. Apatelodes torrefacta
Last years number 7 and still something I really want to try. Or any other species of Apatelodidae for that matter. Serious, my American friends, how hard can it be to catch one female? You have no idea which Saturnids I would use to trade for some of these eggs.
3. Any Lappet not yet on this blog
Of course I want more Lappets (Lasiocampidae). Who doesn't like Lappets? Small ones, large ones, it really does not matter. If they are not on these pages, they are welcome.
4. Automeris liberia
Huh, hasn't that one been depicted yet? Yes, I had a somewhat catastrophic brood in 2016. Plenty of pictures of the caterpillars, but none of the moths. That has to be fixed.
5. Hylesia species
Probably the least attractive members of the Hemileucinae subfamily of the giant silkmoths, but for quite some species the early stages and food plants are still unknown. And thus, maybe not the most beautiful species, definitely a few challenges here.
6. More Monkey Moths
The Asian and African readers really have to step up in 2017. Please contact me for whatever member of the Eupterotidae you are able to offer. I am more then happy to buy them from you.
7. Obertheuria species
You must have seen pictures of the caterpillars on the internet. They are quite spectacular. This genus of moths has been moved from the true silkmoths (Bombycidae) to the Endromidae. Not that it matters much, both families are within the scope of my blog.
8. Mustilia species
If I can't get an Obertheuria, I will settle for some Mustilia, another genus out of the Endromidae family.
9. Females of all 13 species of Saturnids that I encountered during my stay in Malawi
No, I'm not greedy. You had to see some of them. It's just heart breaking to catch Pseudimbrasia deyrollei, Rohaniella pygmaea, Athletes gigas, Nudaurelia macrothyris, Usta terpsichore and all those others, only to find out that they are males. Depressing ... Yes, this number 9 does imply that I will go back to Malawi.
10. New friends to exchange with
Hey ... that doesn't count ... those are not species. True, but more friends, means more species. Or at least I hope so. There are still quite a few friends that have to return some eggs for the ones they received. I'm sure they will contribute something nice to this blog in 2017.
7. Obertheuria species
You must have seen pictures of the caterpillars on the internet. They are quite spectacular. This genus of moths has been moved from the true silkmoths (Bombycidae) to the Endromidae. Not that it matters much, both families are within the scope of my blog.
8. Mustilia species
If I can't get an Obertheuria, I will settle for some Mustilia, another genus out of the Endromidae family.
9. Females of all 13 species of Saturnids that I encountered during my stay in Malawi
No, I'm not greedy. You had to see some of them. It's just heart breaking to catch Pseudimbrasia deyrollei, Rohaniella pygmaea, Athletes gigas, Nudaurelia macrothyris, Usta terpsichore and all those others, only to find out that they are males. Depressing ... Yes, this number 9 does imply that I will go back to Malawi.
10. New friends to exchange with
Hey ... that doesn't count ... those are not species. True, but more friends, means more species. Or at least I hope so. There are still quite a few friends that have to return some eggs for the ones they received. I'm sure they will contribute something nice to this blog in 2017.