Copaxa lunula
Corrected as per personal communication with Frederic Beneluz; September, 2010
Updated as per Lambillionea CVIII. l. March 2008: "DESCRIPTION D'UN COPAXA INEDIT DE GUYANE FRANCAISE (Lepidoptera : Saturniidae, Saturniinae)", Frederic Beneluz; September 2010

Copaxa bireni
koh-PAX-uhMBYE-ren-eye
Beneluz, 2008

Copaxa bireni male, holotype, St Georges-de-L'Oyapock, French Guiana,
110mm, August 22, 2010, 113m, courtesy of Frederic Beneluz
slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke

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: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, 1837
Genus: Copaxa, Walker, 1855

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DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa bireni (wingspan: males: 110mm; females: ??) flies in French Guiana: St.Georges-de-L'Oyapock, Piton Rocheux Remarquable, at elevations around 113m.

This species is quite similar to Copaxa flavina miranda and Copaxa simson, though less remarkable because of the uniform colouring.

Copaxa bireni male (verso), holotype, St Georges-de-L'Oyapock, French Guiana,
110mm, August 22, 2010, 113m, courtesy of Frederic Beneluz
slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The holotype male has been taken at 1750 UV lights August 22, 2006, 7:30 pm.

Copaxa bireni larvae probably ?? feed upon Avacado (Persea americana).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa bella males use antennae to locate females by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume. The female releases this scent into the air via an organ extended from the tip of the abdomen.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

The species name is honourific for collector Didier Biren.

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.

Persea americana ..... ??

Avocado ??

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