DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa cuscoexpandens (wingspan: males: 92 (TS) - 102mm; females: mm // forewing length: males: 55 (TS) -57-60mm; females: unknown) flies in
Peru: Cusco: San Pedro: Manu National Park.

* It is very similar to Copaxa expandens, Copaxa satipoexpandens, Copaxa yungaspandens.

I am not sure if ranges of the above overlap or if one species simply replaces another in a geographic region:
expandens: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador
satipoexpandens: Junin, Peru; 700-2000m (reddish brown)
cuscoexpandens: Cusco, Peru; 1800-2400m (most grey-brown)
yungaspandens: La Paz, Bolivia; 1000-1800m (most reddish).

The Entomo Satsphingia journal describes this new species based on DNA barcoding of two specimens, indicating that cuscoexpandens is more grey-brown compared to the more reddish brown of satipoexpandens and yungaspandens. The moth depicted at top of page is a better match for the ESs journal image of satipoexpandens with regard to size of hyaline markings on the forewing as well as location and elevation, but it is a better match for cuscoexpandens with regard to colour and what I perceive as a slightly less produced apex. There tends to be a high degree of variability with the various Copaxa genera, and I am not totally convinced there are really four different species in this grouping. Bill Oehlke

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

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

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

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa cuscoexpandens 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

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