DISTRIBUTION:

Cerodirphia brunnea brunnea (wingspan: males: 55-66mm; females: 74-79mm) flies in
Ecuador: Orellana, Napo and Zamora Chinchipe;
Peru: Huanuco, Junin, Cusco, probably Puno; and
Bolivia: La Paz, Cochabamba;
Bolivia: Chuquisaca: 10 km East of Monteagudo, -19.799, -63.899, collected by Herbin & Laguerre, 2000-10-28;
Bolivia: La Paz: Nor Yungas: Carrasco, -15.6667, -67.55, collected by T. Decaens & G. Lecourt, 1990-11-01;
Argentina: Jujuy: National Park Calilegua, -23.683, -64.883, collected by F. Meister, 2003-11-23.

Ground colour is greyish-brown. The inner black streak of the Y-shaped cell spot is usually broken.

This species is taken at elevations of 250 to 2300m, suggesting the possibility of two or more species with very similar patterns and genitalia.

The ground colour is greyish-brown with a faint blackish postmedian line. As in C. speciosa, which it greatly resembles, the black mark inside the white y is almost always completely broken at the turn into the upper branch of the y.

The specimen below was sent as C. speciosa, and it may well be that species (noting what appears to be a pinkish tint on the hindwings). However, the greyish brown ground colour is more suggestive of the smaller c. b. brunnea. Both species are reported in nearby Junin Province; neither is reported from Ucayalai Province, Peru. Hopefully a full view of the hindwings and wingspan will be forthcoming. Examination of genitalia may be necessary to determine this species. It is also possible that this specimen represents an undescribed species or a less commonly encountered variation of either brunnea or speciosa as there is no break in the black mark inside the white Y.

Cerodirphia brunnea brunnea / speciosa ?? male, Rio Sapani, Ucayali, Peru,
October 29, 2008, 350m, courtersy of Vladimir Izersky.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably broods continuously. Specimens thus far, however, have only been reported on the wing in October-November.

Cerodirphia brunnea brunnea female, La Paz, Bolivia,
on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plumes.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larve feed gregariously and have urticating spines.

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.

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