DISTRIBUTION:

The Copaxa semioculata semioculata moth (wingspan: males: 70-100mm; females 88-100mm) (forewing length: males: 35-51mm; females: 44-51mm) flies at high elevations (2750-4000m) in
?? Venezuela: possibly Merida, Tachira and western Apure (WO); and in
Colombia: Bogota, Cundinamarca (CL) and Boyaca (KW) and possibly Huila and Putamayo (WO).

The male of this relatively small species has a falcate forewing with a rounded apex. The apical spot is small and is dark grey, outwardly edged with white.

The ground colour is a dark orange-brown with some lighter, pinkish-scales in the basal area and along the hw costa.

The median area is very dark with grey to black scales near the indistinct pm line. The am line is also indistinct. The post median area is lighter, especially near the anal angle, where scales become yellowish.

The hyaline crescents are narrow and are outlined with black, dark yellow and black. The lower half of the line of outer margin is pendpendicular the line of the inner margin, but the anal angle is slightly rounded.

The female has broader, rounder wings with a grey-beige ground colour, sprinkled with black, and, like the male, yellowish near the fw anal angle. The median area on all wings is darker than the basal or postmedian areas. Visit Copaxa sapatoza Group Comparison Chart.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in Cundinamarca in January, June-July, September and November, with additional records in Colombia from December and April, suggesting two or three broods.

Copaxa semioculata semioculata larvae feed upon Brachyotum ledifolium.

Most of the Copaxa brood continuously but T. Decaens reports that semioculata semioculata flies in June where it can be found together with Copaxa sapatoza near Bogota, Columbia.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Male Copaxa semioculata moths use highly developed antennae to locate females around midday 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.

Copaxa semioculata semioculata female, Eastern Colombia, near Bogota, 2700m;
courtesy of T. Decaëns, D. Bonilla & L.D. Ramirez

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.

Brachyotum ledifolium.......

Brachyotum ledifolium

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