DISTRIBUTION:

Othorene lapaziana (HT Bolivia) (approximate wingspan: males: 71-85mm; females: probably 100mm) flies in
northwestern Bolivia: La Paz; Beni; at elevations of 1000-1800m.

In 2011, Brechlin and Meister published names, descriptions and images of six new Othorene species, three of which are very similar to Othorene purpurascens, and three of which are very similar to Othorene verana. They also removed O. intermedia from synonymity with O. purpurascens.

The following species/subspecies are now in the Purpurascens Group. I have listed them from north to south according to specimen type locale. I do not know where the range of one species ends and where another begins or whether some are sympatric. Hopefully that will become clearer later. I believe that O. pupurascens has a very extensive range, and the other species may have more limited ranges, perhaps within the same range as purpurascens.

In many cases there is little difference in physical appearance between the various species so DNA analysis might be necessary to make determinations. I have added a few notes as to what I would look for first on male forewings to try to make determinations.

Purpurascens Group:
intermedia: fwl: 33-41mm; Costa Rica: Puntarenas; forewing outer margin more triangular, due to more oblique outer margin compared to purpurascens; apex slightly produced and pointed; light pink areas also in strong contrast with surrounding areas, with am pinkish area almost extending to costa
vanschayckorum: 42-45mm; Venezuela: Carabobo; Merida;
purpurascens: fwl: 30-35mm; French Guiana; Costa Rica (Mirror); Brazil: Para (Mirror); evenly convex outer margin that is only slightly oblique; diffuse, wider lighter pink areas along inner margin inside am line, outside pm line
lapaziana: Bolivia: Beni; La Paz; outer margin slightly convex, less so than in purpurascens, and outer margin slightly oblque; distinct, less diffuse, arced, lighter pink area inside am line; pm line on left forewing slightly s-shaped.
peggyae: fwl: 34-42mm; southeastern Brazil; northeastern Argentina; outer margin very slightly convex, but much more oblique than in purpurascens; lighter areas along inner margin less contrasting with surroundings, greyish pink, am pinkish grey area subparallel to pm line.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Othorene lapaziana probably have at least two broods annually with peak flights in September-October-November. There may be additional flight months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume.

Both sexes come in to lights with peak activity probably from 11:30 pm until 2:00 am.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Translucent, greenish-yellowish eggs are deposited on host foliage. Incubation is short, lasting only seven to eight days.

Mature larvae descend trees to form a very rough pupa underground.

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.

Malus baccata Manilkara chicle Psidium Salix Terminalia catappa.......

Red Bud crabapple/Siberian crabapple (MB) Sapodilla Guava Willow (FZ) Indian almond

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I do not know the origin of the genus name Othorene.

The species name "lapaziana" is for a specimen type locale in La Paz, Bolivia.