DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa mielkeorum (wingspan: males: mm; females: mm // forewing length: males: 54-57mm; females: 59-60mm) flies in
eastern Brazil: Bahia; Para; Santa Catarina, Sao Bento do Sul; and
north eastern Argentina: Misiones, at elevations from 20m - 800m.

Both males and females of this species have a lighter, brighter brown ground colour, compared to most other species in the multifenestrata group. The forewing apices of both species are only very slightly produced.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Copaxa mielkeorum larvae probably feed upon avocado (Persea americana).

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously so I suspect mielkeorum would be on the wing every month of the year. Specimens have been recorded in March and October (Sao Bento do Sul; Santa Catarina); June (Para), October-November (Misiones); December (Bahia).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa mielkeorum moths use highly developed 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.

Copaxa mielkeorum female, Brazil,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck,
id and slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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

The species name is honourific for Carlos Mielke and his father Olaf Mielke.

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