Perhaps, based on geography, the male depicted above is a faded Rachesa chrisbrechlinae which has documented specimen types from both La Paz and Santa Cruz departments in Bolivia. R. chrisbrechlinae is described as a species with a darker reddish brown forewing ground colour than the specimen on display which is closer to R. reventador in colouration, more orangey with brownish tints. I think the species are so similar that DNA barcoding may be required to distingusih between them.

Rachesa reventador male, 88mm, Amazonas, Peru,
on my home coomputer only.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Ceratocampinae, Harris, 1841 Genus: Rachesa, Michener, 1949 species: reventador Lemaire, 1969

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Rachesa reventador moth (wingspan: males: 84-95mm; females: larger) flies in the South Andean region from Ecuador: Napo; to Peru: San Martin; Amazonas; to Bolivia: La Paz; in medium elevation Andean forests (1200 - 2000 m).

The forewing apex tends to be more rounded than in other species and the ante- and postmedian lines tend to be wider bands as opposed to distinct lines.

Visit Rachesa species Comparison Table.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Rachesa reventador moths are on the wing in January and February and possibly as later broods.

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Rachesa reventador moths extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males which become active around 11:30 pm.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in underground chambers.

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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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 meaning or the reason for the genus name "Rachesa".

The species name "reventador" is probably for the specimen type locale near the volcano Reventador in Ecuador.