DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa wernermeisteri (wingspan: males: 93mm; females: 112mm // forewing length: males: 50-51mm; females: 60mm) flies in
southern Mexico: Chiapas.

The male is an almost homogenous middle brown with lighter/brighter brown basal areas on all wings. On the forewing the lower portions of the median area are also a lighter/brighter brown. The forewing apex is slightly produced. A darker brown, diffuse median band arcs from the costa through the outside of the cell which ends in the largest hyaline spot, a somewhat elongate (non-circular) oval. There are three very small spots in the inner line of dots, one above the top of the cell, one near the bottom of the cell, and one far below the cell. There is a fifth mid-sized, circular point of light below the largest elongate marking.

The female is much lighter than the male with a similar pattern of hyaline spots, but in the female the spots are much larger and closer to circular on all wings.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

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

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously so I suspect wernermeisteri would be on the wing every month of the year.

Copaxa wernermeisteri male, Chiapas, Mexico,
on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa wernermeisteri 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.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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 probably honourific for Werner Meister, father of Frank Meister.

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