Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca
Updated as per "An update checklist for the Saturniidae of Ecuador. Part II: .... " in
SHILAP Revta. lepid 34 (135), 2006: 197-211 L. & T. Racheli, September 2007
Updated as per personal communication with Les Catchick (San Isidro, Napo, Ecuador, April 6, 2011); December 6, 2011

Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca
Lemaire, 1982

Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca male, San Isidro, Napo, Ecuador,
April 6, 2011, courtesy of Les Catchick, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, 1837
Genus: Copaxa, Walker, 1855

MIDI MUSIC

"What.A.Wonderful.World"
copyright C. Odenkirk
MIDI CITY
ON.OFF
<bgsound src="world.mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION:

The Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca moth flies in medium to high altitude andean forests (1500 - 2200 m) from
Ecuador: Morona-Santiago to
Bolivia. There are several colour morphs.

There are many discal spots on the forewing but only a single spot on the hindwing. Basic ground colour is dark reddish brown.

I am not sure that I have idenitifed the following moth correctly, but I believe it is C. e. brunnaeocaeca, because of very dark brown colour, two or more hyaline spots on forewings, and a single hyaline spot on the hindwing. Images I have seen of Copaxa andensis, which has similar characters, show the andensis with lighter, basal, median and cell areas.

Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca male, Wildsumaco Lodge, Napo, Ecuador,
April 6, 2011, courtesy of Tony Hoare, via Peter Bruce-Jones.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca larvae feed upon

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously so I suspect expandens brunnaeocaeca would be on the wing every month of the year.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa expandens brunnaeocaeca 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:

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.


Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Copaxa Index

Return to Main Index