DISTRIBUTION:

Oxytenis beprea (wingspan: males: 49-59mm; females: 57-69mm) flies in
Panama and
Costa Rica: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose (IB). Jacqueline Y. Miller reports it in Honduras, so it probably also flies in Nicaragua.

It has been taken at elevations from 10m to 1520m, but seems more common at lower elevations.

In some taxonomies, the Oxytenidae are treated as a distinct family rather than as a subfamily of Saturniidae.

This is a highly variable species with regard to ground colour; orange, to reddish brown to dark chocolate.

Oxytenis beprea males, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are at least three generations of the Oxytenis beprea moth annually with adults on the wing with peak flights in January-February, again in June, and then again in October-November. This moth probably broods continuously.

Larvae feed on Alibertia edulis, Randia armata and Posoqueria latifolia.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

This species shows sexual dimorphism with the male having scalloped outer forewing margins while the female exhibits a convex pattern. Males use their antennae to seek out females which scent at night. Activity at lights, with both species being attracted, usually begins shortly before midnight and continues until 2:30 am.

Oxytenis beprea females, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

In the early instars, larvae resemble some of the Papilio species with their white saddles on a dark background suggesting a bird dropping. Genetic analysis should prove very interesting when it is finally done. Larval images are courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Sticky glands (characteristic of all Oxyteninae) at the tips of the setae are present in all instars and are clearly visible as little globes on this third or fourth instar larva. Image courtesy of Lee A. Dyer.

"Eyespots" on the fifth instar larvae, which exhibit both green and brown colour morphs, are suggestive of some of the Papilionidae, while the anal horn resembles the Sphingidae.

The laterally flared thoracic segments are unusual amongst the Saturniidae. Adult wing venation, larval behaviour and morphology are often sited as reasons for placing the Oxytenis species in their own family (Oxytenidae) distinct from the Saturniidae.

The "eyespots" appear on the final instar whether it is the fifth or the sixth, as sometimes occurs.

Moths eclose from pupae in as few as ten days from pupation date.

Larval Food Plants

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

Alibertia edulis Amaioua pedicellata Augusta rivalis Bertiera bracteosa Chimarrhis parviflora Coffea arabica Genipa americana Ixora floribunda Pentagonia donnell-smithii ....... Posoqueria latifolia Psychotria grandis Randia aculeata Randia armata Randia genipoides Randia grandifolia Randia monantha Randia pittieri

Trompillo / Purui pequeno Recolecta Augusta rivalis Bertiera bracteosa Fiddlewood Coffee plant Genipapo/Huito Cacho de toro Pentagonia donnell-smithii Guayabo de Mico Cachimbo Grande Box Briar, White Indigo Berry Resuelesuele Randia genipoides Rosetillo Randia monantha Randia pittieri

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