DISTRIBUTION:

The small Copaxa sapatoza moth (wingspan: males: 70mm; females: 80mm) flies at high elevations (2600-3200m) in Bogota, Colombia (very common), Colombia: Cundinamarca and Boyaca (KW). Apparently it also flies as far north as Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia, based on the following image, which suggests it can also be found in Santander.

Copaxa sapatoza male, Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia,
2586m, courtesy of Junior Nino, via Geraldo Sagado,
identification and slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

The large crescent shaped forewing hyaline spots distinguish this species. Males also have very falcate forewings.

Copaxa sapatoza male copyright Kirby Wolfe

Adults can vary in colouration from bright yellow to "dark green" or at least they appear that way due to presence of black scales among the yellow ones. Distribution and intensity of pink in the fw basal area and tornus and hw costa and angle varies greatly.

Visit Copaxa sapatoza Group Comparison Chart.

Copaxa sapatoza male, Colombia, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Copaxa sapatoza female, Colombia, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Under natural conditions Copaxa sapatoza larvae feed on Alnus acuminata which grows in open places. The moths fly to lights shortly after dark.

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously but T. Decaens reports that sapatoza flies in June where it can be found together with Copaxa semioculata near Bogota, Columbia. Possibly this species is still on the wing in July in Norte de Santander.

Copaxa sapatoza female copyright Thibaud Decaens

Thibaud writes, "Please find here a shot of a recently emerged female of Copaxa sapatoza in Bogota, Colombia. The photo was taken with a small numerical camera I received for Christmas. Colors are not optimal but resolution is OK. I have to specify that this female emerged in Bogota from a wild collected cocoon, found at 2700m of elevation in Alto de las Rosas on the Road Bogota - Melgar. That's the first record of C. sapatoza for this locality, where we collected a number of times without finding this species."

Copaxa sapatoza female copyright Kirby Wolfe

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa sapatoza moths use highly developed antennae to locate females (above) shortly after dark by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume. The female releases this scent into the night air via an organ extended from the tip of the abdomen.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae spin porous cocoons, longitudinally affixed to branches and stems.

Larva copyright 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.

Alnus acuminata ....... Alnus rhombifolia Persea americana

Andean alder White alder Avocado

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Copaxa sapatoza male, publication image

Copaxa sapatoza female, publication image