DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris cecrops cecrops moth (wingspan: males: 64-81mm; females: 72-92mm) flies in
Mexico: Federal District, Mexico, Morelos, Puebla and Veracruz and possibly Tlaxcala as a montane species. I believe the specimen below from Guerrero, Mexico, courtesy of Kelly Price, is correctly identified.

It might also fly in the mountains of Guatemala.

Jean Michel Maes reports it from Nicaragua: Matagalpa, but I am not confident of that placement/identification.

Automeris cecrops cecrops male, 75mm, Guerrero, Mexico, courtesy of Kelly Price, id by Bill Oehlke

The forewing is elongate with a grey-beige to orange-grey ground colour with a brownish tinge. The pm line is slightly preapical and runs obliquely to almost the midpoint of the inner margin. The basal and median areas are concolorous, with most of the marginal area a lighter shade. There is no median band.

The hindwing eyespot is small.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May-June and August-September.

Larvae feed on Liriodendron tulipifera and on Prunus serotina.

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.

Liriodendron tulipifera..... Prunus serotina Quercus alba

Tuliptree Wild/Black Cherry White Oak

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