DISTRIBUTION: Cerodirphia mota napoensis (wingspan: males: 71-80mm; females: 98mm) flies in Ecuador: Napo: San Isidro (1750m (LC)). Cerodirphia mota napoensis, eastern Ecuador, Cosanga 2200 m, Napo Province, October - February courtesy of Horst Kach

The black abdomen is ringed with white. Ground colour is cadmium/fawn-orange. The Y-shaped discal marking may be white (usually) or yellow. The costa in the basal area is usually blackish. Note the white veins and fringes.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis male, San Isidro, Napo, Ecuador,
April 6, 2011, 1750m, courtesy of Les Catchick, slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis male, San Isidro, Napo, Ecuador,
April 6, 2011, 1750m, courtesy of Tony Hoare, via Peter Bruce-Jones,
slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth probably broods continuously. Specimens have been taken in January-February, April (LC) and November.

Horst Kach writes, "Hostplants for Cerodirphia mota napoensis are Erythrina edulis (Fabaceae) and Nectandra sp. (Lauraceae). They also accept Oak.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis male, Ecuador,
courtesy of Eric Van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larve feed gregariously and have urticating spines.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis eggs, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
December 31, 2008, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis first instars, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
January 29, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis second instars, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
February 4, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis third instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis fourth and fifth instars, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
April, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis fourth and fifth instars, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
April, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis fifth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
April, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis fifth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
March 25, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis fifth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
April 2, 2009, 2200m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Cerodirphia mota napoensis sixth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
May 6, 2009, 2200m, 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.

Erythrina edulis ....... Nectandra Quercus

Oak

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