DISTRIBUTION:

The Oxytenis epiphaea moth flies in
Peru; and in
western Ecuador: Esmeraldas, Pichincha: Mindo.

In some taxonomies, the Oxyteninae are treated as a distinct family (Oxytenidae) rather than as a subfamily of Saturniidae.

Oxytenis epiphaea male, May 20, 2005, Mindo, Pichincha, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Oxytenis epiphaea male (verso), May 20, 2005, Mindo, Pichincha, Ecuador,
courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are probably three generations of the Oxytenis epiphaea moth annually with adults on the wing with peak flights in January-February, again in May-June, and then again in October-November. This moth probably broods continuously.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their antennae to seek out females which scent at night. Activity at lights, with both species being attracted, usually begins shortly before midnight and continues until 2:30 am.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are ellipsoid, translucent, green, fading to yellow with maturity, and the developing larva can be seen through the egg shell. Incubation lasts five days.

First instar larvae are very small, pale, with long setae, and blend in with leaf surface debris.

Some larvae pass through five instars while others experience six instars.

Like some Sphingidae, the Oxytenis epiphaea larvae pupate amongst damp leaf litter in a liquid produced along with a few strands of stretchy, reddish silk, binding some surface leaves.

Moths eclose from pupae in as few as ten days from pupation date, but usually develop in twelve to fourteen days.

Larval Food Plants

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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