Hypocrita phanoptoides, Rio Ñambi, Colombia

If my assumption is correct that this is Calodesma sp., this is one stunning moth. Glasswing butterflies are incredible and one of my favorite subjects, yet this moth not only seems to mimic one, it surpassed them in beauty. And even more in size, this is a pretty large moth.

The moth was upside down by the way, I rotated the shot. Could have no meaning at all, just highly exceptional, I don't recall any other moth in our sessions being fully upside down, and we saw thousands.

comments (9)

Christine Young

Lion

Exquisite! What fantastic colors <3 Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

What about something like Hypocrita sp., such as Hypocrita toulgoetae?? Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Wow, I was looking in the wrong direction. That genus seems a match. Species suggestion also seems very strong yet did find a second candidate:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hypocrita_phanoptoides.JPG
  
  ...found in Colombia and Ecuador. However, toulgoetae seems to fully match visually so will go for that, thanks! Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    They are so similar, wow! Posted 6 years ago

Rodrigo Bernal

Bull Frog

Actually, Hypocrita tolgoetae is a younger synonym of H. phanoptoides, according to Vincent & Laguerre (2014) Catalogue of the Neotropical Arctiini Leach, [1815] (except Ctenuchina Kirby, 1837 and Euchromiina Butler, 1876) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) Posted 6 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  That explains why they look the same....they ARE the same :) Silly me, thanks! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Rodrigo Bernal
    
    Bull Frog
    
    If specialists get confused, let alone us, poor mortal amateurs...! Posted 6 years ago
  2. Rodrigo Bernal
    
    Bull Frog
    
    BTW, it is the older name, H. phanoptoides, that should be used Posted 6 years ago
  3. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Thank you, fixed! Posted 6 years ago