DISTRIBUTION:

The Bathyphlebia rufescens moth (wingspan: males: 101-126mm; females: 117-131mm) flies in cloud forests in
western Ecuador: Pichincha, Canar, Bolivar LTR, Carchi LTR, Imbabura HK, and possibly in Cotopaxi and Los Rios, at elevations of 2300-2800m (2840m HK). This moth is lighter in colour than related species. Male forewings are not elongate, being broader in general appearance. There is no black scaling in the hindwing postmedian area and there is generally a pinkish cast to the forewing postmedian area.

Bathyphlebia rufescens male, Intag, Imbabura, Ecuador,
November 29, 2008, 27000m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Bathyphlebia rufescens male (verso), Intag, Imbabura, Ecuador,
November 29, 2008, 27000m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Bathyphlebia rufescens flies in February and in November-December (HK).

Larvae probably feed upon oak species.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adult Bathyphlebia rufescens moths emerge from subterranean pupae, and males, on average, are slightly smaller than females.

Bathyphlebia rufescens female, Lloa west, Pichincha, Ecuador,
December 9, 2010, 2600m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Night-flying females lay translucent eggs on host plant leaves. The developing larvae can be seen through the egg shells.

Larvae pupate underground in small chambers.

Care of larvae and pupae should be as for any Neotropical species.

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.

Quercus .......

Oak

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The source of the genus name "Bathyphlebia" is a combination of "bathy" meaning deep and "phlebia" meaning veins.

The species name "rufescens" probably refers to a pinkish or rosy cast to the forewings.

Bathyphlebia rufescens courtesy of Clive Pratt.

Bathyphlebia rufescens female, courtesy of Claude Lemaire.