Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Broken-barred Tiger
Hypercompe brasiliensis
Family - ARCTIIDAE
subfamily -
ARCTIINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Hypercompe brasiliensis,
Wayqecha, 2950m, Peru |
Introduction
There
are about 80 species in the genus Hypercompe,
variously distributed across the Americas.
Most
Hypercompe species have a white ground colour, characteristically
patterned with about 30 ovals or circles on each forewing. In some species
however, including ochreator and
brasiliensis, the wings instead have a series of
solid black squarish markings. The abdomens of all species are
brightly coloured, often in blue and yellow, and are exposed when the moths
disturbed by foraging birds. If molested, they exude noxious fluids
from the thorax to discourage them from being eaten.
Habitats
This moth was photographed at Wayqecha research station at 2950m in the eastern
Andes of Peru.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
Attracted to UV lighting.
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