DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris ahuitzotli moth (wingspan: males: 68-71mm (maybe larger); females: 80-83mm (maybe larger)) flies in
western and central Mexico: Guerrero, probably Oaxaca, over 925m.

It is distinguished from A. c. cecrops by mature larva differences as well as differences in adult male genitalia. Although the specimens depicted below are larger (determined from photos and not actual measurements) than the information given by Lemaire for ahuitzotli, that is probably due to lack of available material. The light grey-violet areas in the median area and lower terminal area are a better match for his description of ahuitzotli than for the slightly larger but very similar cecrops cecrops.

Automeris ahuitzotli male, Mexico, 78mm, BOLD Systems, on my home computer only.

Automeris ahuitzotli male, Mexico, 82mm, BOLD Systems, on my home computer only.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May and June.

Larvae have been lab reared on both Robinia pseudoacacia and Acacia baileyana.

Automeris ahuitzotli female, Mexico, 87mm, BOLD Systems, on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters of 6-40+ on hostplant twigs. Larvae have urticating spines and are gregarious, especially in the early instars.

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.

Robinia pseudoacacia....... Acacia baileyana

False acacia Bailey's acacia

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