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Saturniid moth

cf Copaxa lavendera and flavina

Photo by Les Catchick
Published on Project Noah
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4.49, -73.16

Field Notes

Description:

Large colourful moth as in the photo.
From the antennae I assume a female.

Habitat:

Rainforest.
In the grounds of the Hydro 'reserve' of the huge dam above the town of Santa Maria.
Altitude around 1100 m?

Notes:

Location was at 04º49.470’S, 073º15.607’W which I can not sort on the map.
The genus seems certain but I can't find anything to show which might be in Peru.

Species ID Suggestions

Saturniid moth

Copaxa flavina

Reference Link
Mark Ridgway
3

Comments (9)
Les Catchick
I am not not an expert on moths. In quite a few types the males have feathery antennae and these are not feathery. However, whether that is the case in this genus I am not certain. Thus I may be wrong.
Maria dB
Nice spotting! Could you explain for Noah members what it is about the antennae that makes you think it is a female? Thanks!
Machi
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Les Catchick
Thanks Mark. They do look almost the same to me. I can find these in Brazil but there seems to be little detail as to where the various copaxa species are found.
Mark Ridgway
Nice find Les. I think it's most likely Copaxa flavina given location.
Les Catchick
On Wikipedia this moth should not be in Peru, but it certainly seems to look right to me. Perhaps someone can sort that.
Les Catchick
Thank you very much. From what I have seen of other photos of this species which show feathered antennae they will I assume be males and this will be a female.

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PublishedNovember 7, 2019

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