DISTRIBUTION:

The Copaxa intermediata moth (forewing length = 54-58mm; females: 54-60mm) flies in the Andes, west of Cuenca, (Azuay Province)
Ecuador: Azuay, Imbabura and Cotopaxi;
and in Peru: Amazonas; in the drier Andean Corridor at elevations from 3000-4000m.

In 2003 Kirby Wolfe had mistakenly described this species as Copaxa semioculata, which is smaller with a more pronounced and sharper male forewing apex.

Copaxa semioculata is from ?? Venezuela and Bogota, Colombia with diurnal males and nocturnal females. Copaxa intermediata has nocturnal males and females

The antemedial and postmedial lines of the hindwing usually reach the costa without meeting, and the darker median area usually extends to the costa. This is true for intermediata, semioculata, orientalis and sapatoza. Specimens need to be spread, in most cases, to see these features in photos.

Visit Copaxa sapatoza Group Comparison Chart.

Copaxa intermediata male, courtesy of bernhard Wenczel.

The specimen depicted above was sent to me as semioculata, but I believe it is more likely Copaxa intermediata based on wider but less produced forewing apex, slight differences in the shape of the hyaline crescents, and the lack of gaps beteen the segments of the hindwing post median band.

This species is intermediate in size between the larger C. orientalis and the smaller C. semioculata. Males have falcate forewings with a rounded apex. There are two u-shaped dark grey to black dashes outwardly lined in white.

The am and pm lines are black, distinct and wavy. The median area is brown and darker than both the basal area and the postmedian area which is honey coloured near the anal angle.

Copaxa intermediata male, Boliche, Cotopaxi, Ecuador,
January 2, 2009, 3500m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

The female is similar to the male, but is lighter in colour. She has fuller more rounded wings without the pronounced apex. The apical dashes are outwardly lined with pink.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in December-January, March, May and August, suggesting as many as four broods annually.

Copaxa intermediata larvae reported feed upon Brachyotum ledifolium in wild, but do well on Avacado (Persea americana) in the lab.

Both males and females respond to lights at night.

Copaxa intermediata female, Ecuador, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa intermediata males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night 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:

Larvae have been successfully reared in the lab on Avocado.

Copaxa intermediata larva, Ecuador, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

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.

Brachyotum ledifolium...... Persea americana.....

Brachyotum ledifolium (Kirby Wolfe) Avocado (Kirby Wolfe)

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