DISTRIBUTION:

Rachesa nisa (wingspan: males: 77-83m; females: 102-115mm // forewing length: males: 40-43mm // females: 57-59mm) flies in Peru: Cusco (ESs), Puno, Pasco (HM-probably viksinjaevi), probably Junin (more likely R. viksinjaevi in Junin, Peru);
Ecuador: Napo, Morona-Santiago and probably Pastaza;
Colombia: Cundinamarca; and
Bolivia: Cochabamba (more likely R. sinjaevorum in Cochabamba, Bolivia); on the eastern slopes of the Andes at elevations between 1600 and 2300 m.

With the advent of DNA barcoding analysis, many specimens formerly classified as Rachesa nisa may in fact be almost cryptic species from nearby locales. ESs confirms nisa from Cusco, but I do not known how much of a range it has outside the Cusco Region.

This species with its small white dot in the fw cell, narrower wing, and more orangey-brown ground colour is perhaps most similar to the darker brown, slightly larger R. sinjaevorum from Bolivia.

Visit Rachesa species Comparison Table.

Rachesa nisa (possibly R. viksinjaevi) male, Peru,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

Rachesa nisa (??, hindwing shape seems off for nisa) male, Cundinamarca, Colombia,
Courtesy of T. Decaens and D. Bonilla.

Male forewings are triangular and elongated with a narrow apex and very straight outer margin. The hindwing is always lobed. Perhaps the lobed hindwing is more characteristic of sinjaevorum or viksinjaevi. I am not sure if the specimens below are nisa or viksinjaevi which is reported from Junin, Peru. The shape of the forewing pm line seems quite variable within the genus.

I think it will be very difficult to distinguish between nisa, viksinjaevi and sinjaevorum.

Rachesa nisa (probably R. viksinjaevi) male, Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru,
2300m, June 2004, courtesy of Hubert Mayer.

Rachesa nisa (probably R. viksinjaevi) male, Oxapampa, Pasco, Peru,
2300m, June 2004, courtesy of Hubert Mayer.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Rachesa nisa moths are on the wing in March. There may be additional broods. Hubert Mayer confirms a June flight (might be for viksinjaevi).

Larval hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Rachesa nisa moths extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males which become active around 11:30 pm.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Mature larvae descend tree trunks to pupate in underground chambers.

Larval Food Plants

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.

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I do not know the meaning or the reason for the genus name "Rachesa".

The species name "nisa" may be for the city Nisa in Greek mythology.

Rachesa nisa male, 78mm, Cusco, Peru,
on my home computer only.