DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa pararufinans (wingspan: males: mm; females: mm // forewing length: males: 54-56mm; females: 56mm) flies in
Mexico: Oaxaca (HT); Veracruz; Chiapas; Michoacan; Hidalgo; and probably throughout southern Mexico.

Specimens have been taken at elevations of 550m - 1500m.

Males show considerable colour variation as is evidenced in the next two images by Leroy Simon:

Copaxa pararufinans male, courtesy of Leroy Simon,
id by Bill Oehlke.

Copaxa pararufinans male, courtesy of Leroy Simon,
id by Bill Oehlke.

This species is very similar to Copaxa rufinans, but seems on average to be slightly smaller. The yellow around the slightly smaller ocelli is also reduced in pararufinans, and the pinkish band along the outer margin seems broader and extends closer to both the apex and the anal angle in C. pararufinans. I also notice the outer margin in pararufinans seems more evenly concave and the pm line is slightly more preapical.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Copaxa pararufinans larvae probably feed upon avocado (Persea americana).

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously so I suspect pararufinans would be on the wing every month of the year. Specimens have been reported in Mexico in May, June, July and August.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa pararufinans moths use highly developed antennae to locate females by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume. The female releases this scent into the air via an organ extended from the tip of the abdomen.

Copaxa pararufinans females (above) are generally much less ornate than males, but some also carry the orange colour. Image by Leroy Simon.

The forewing cell spot in pararufinans females is smaller than in female rufinans.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

This image courtesy of Leroy Simon shows much more red on lateral line and less blue on scoli than is found in rufinans.

Larvae spin a porous cocoon which is longitudinally affixed to twigs and stems.

Copaxa pararufinans fifth instar,
courtesy of Leroy Simon.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Persea americana .......

Avocado

The species name is indicative of similarity to Copaxa rufinans.

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