DISTRIBUTION:

Copaxa bachuea forewing length: males 41mm; females: 41-55mm flies in
central Colombia on an isolated mountain massif in Iguaque, Boyaca. It has also been taken in
western Venezuela: Tachira. It is found at altitudes of 2100-2990m.

The female specimens taken in Ecuador are larger, darker and more reddish than those taken in Venezuela and Colombia, and may represent a different species. Yes, they are Copaxa carolinae in Napo, Ecuador, and Copaxa simoni in Morona-Santiago, Ecuador.

Males have a produced and rounded apex on a falcate forewing. There are probably a couple of different colour forms. Ground colour is orange-beige with a generous dusting of black scales.

Visit Copaxa sapatoza Group Comparison Chart.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January, March-April-May and July. There may be additional flights (September 2008, Horst Kach).

Copaxa bachuea larvae feed upon Avacado (Persea americana) in the lab. Horst Kach reports them (either carolinae or simoni) on Shanshi (Coriaria thymifolia) at natural elevation.

Females respond to lights at night, but only a single male has been captured around 4:00 pm in the afternoon.

Copaxa bachuea female, Colombia, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa bachuea males use highly developed antennae to locate females in the late afternoon 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:

Kirby Wolfe provides this image of a fifth instar larva, but indicates no success as yet (2005) with spinning and subsequent eclosion of moths.

Copaxa bachuea, larva, Colombia,
courtesy of Kirby Wolfe, id by Bill Oehlke.

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.

Coriaria thymifolia ....... Persea americana

Shanshi (HK) Avocado (Kirby Wolfe)

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Kirby Wolfe writes, "Copaxa bachuea is named after Bachue, mythical mother of humankind, who emerged from Lake Iguaque with her young son Huitaca."

Kirby also reports the "ch" is pronounced as in church.

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