DISTRIBUTION:

Cerodirphia azuayana (wingspan: males: mm; females: 91mm // forewing length: males: nm; females: 48mm) flies at medium altitude (1700-1740m) in
Ecuador: Azuay: Garumales.

This moth is quite similar to reoseamazonica and roseissima, but both of those species are darker than the bright red of azuayana. The white forewing cell mark is relatively thin and long.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in June and October, suggesting at least two annual broods.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) female, Guarumales, Morona-Santiago, Ecuador,
1700m, November 29, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) female (verso), Guarumales, Morona-Santiago, Ecuador,
1700m, November 29, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to locate females at night by tracking their airbourne pheromone plumes.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) female, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) female, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) female, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larve feed gregariously and have urticating spines.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) third instars, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, May 10, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) fourth instars, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, May 29, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) fourth instars, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, May 29, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) fourth instars, Guarumales, Morona Santiago, Ecuador,
1700m, June 13, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) fifth instars, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, June 20, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) sixth instar, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia roseissima (more likely azuayana) fifth instars, Paute, Azuay, Ecuador,
1700m, July 13, 2010, courtesy of Horst Kach.

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.

Quercus .......

Oak (HK)

The species name, "azuayana", is indicative of a specimen type locality in Azuay, Ecuador.

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