InsectNet forum

A nice photo I recently came across of Copiopteryx virgo (Paraguay). This genus has long hind-wing tails like Actias spp. (subfamily Saturniinae), but belongs to another saturniid subfamily - Arsenurinae. Copiopteryx spp. range from southern Mexico through South America. They are all dead-leaf mimics, and the wing tails of the males can be amazingly long. I've always thought these to be some of the most unique looking moths in the world.



Another species, C. semiramis -

They are amazing looking moths, I find dead leaf mimics all very cool and with endless variety.

C.semiramis is quite common in French Guiana and I was able to collect few specimens ( including one female )
There is also another species C.jehovah that occurs in French Guiana.
When semiramis flies close to light all you can see is big moth chased by two small white things. They are the tails!
The tails are specifically designed to mislead hunting bats as the rapid uneven movement disturbs the ultrasound waves.

Indeed, I was very impressed to learn that Saturniidae long tails were made to disturb bat waves ! There was a great study about that published few years ago. Natural selection can produce impressive patterns !

kevinkk wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 1:38 am ...I find dead leaf mimics all very cool and with endless variety.

As do I, and among the Neotropical leaf mimics, the nymphalid tribe Anaeini comprise a significant number of quite striking species. In my area, there's a single species from this group - Anaea andria (which is the northernmost member of the tribe) -



Verso -

Paul K wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:22 am ...The tails are specifically designed to mislead hunting bats as the rapid uneven movement disturbs the ultrasound waves.

Very interesting - I was unaware of that.

Incidentally, I caught a perfect female specimen of Anaea andria this morning. It was a rather rare instance of actually getting one with a net. I really should get my trap set up with some fruit bait soon to see how successful that might be, and with any luck, it might bring in some Nymphalis antiopa, as well.

A. andria female (example photo) -