DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa cydippe (wingspan: males: 70mm; females 75mm // forewing length: males: 34-39mm; females: ) flies from
Mexico to
Guatemala at least to
?? northern Honduras: Cortes in pine forests; at 1600-2000m.

In Mexico, it has been reported from the states of Michoacan, Oaxaca (VS), Veracruz and Chiapas.

Copaxa cydippe (more likely cydiphondurensis or purulhensis male, Cortes, Honduras,
courtesy of Eduardo Marabuto, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

This is a relatively small moth. Males and females have distinctive, single, bean-shaped cell markings. The males (falcate forewing) are dark olive or reddish brown, and the am and pm lines, although visible, are not in strong contrast to the rest of the wing.

Visit Copaxa cydippe Group Comparison Chart.

Copaxa cydippe dark-olive male, Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

In 2012 Brechlin & Meister described some very similar species from Guatemala. Possibly some of the images on this page are not true cydippe.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Copaxa cydippe larvae feed upon Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata).

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously so I suspect cydippe would be on the wing every month of the year. Records from Mexico indicate peak flights in February, April, June and September-November.

Copaxa cydippe female copyright Kirby Wolfe

Copaxa cydippe female, Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Copaxa cydippe female Veracruz, Mexico,
on my home computer only.

The females displayed courtesy of Kirby Wolfe and Viktor Suter appear to be of two different species. (Bill Oehlke) I think Kirby's image of a female is that of Copaxa haxairei.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa cydippe moths use highly developed antennae to locate females shortly after dark by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume. The female releases this scent into the night air via an organ extended from the tip of the abdomen.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae feed on pine and are considered pests.

Copaxa cydippe fourth instar, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Copaxa cydippe fifth instar, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Copaxa cydippe larva copyright Kirby Wolfe

Copaxa cydippe Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Copaxa cydippe fifth instar, Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Copaxa cydippe fifth instar, Oaxaca, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

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.

Pinus nigra Pinus radiata.....

Austrian pine Monterey pine

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