DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris colenon moth flies in
western and central Mexico: Sonora, Sinaloa (??), Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima (??), Guerrero, Morelos, Distrito Federal, Oaxaca, Chiapas;
and favours grassy areas throughout lower oak woodlands, at elevations from 1100-2030m.

Automeris colenon male, Guerrero, Mexico, wingspan 59.6mm,
June, 950m, courtesy of Kelly Price.

I have identified the above moth, primarily based on geography and very small size. The hindwing eyespot is very small which Lemaire indicates is typical of A. colenon. It could also be a very small A. io draudtiana.

Automeris colenon male, Mexico,

courtesy of Viktor Suter.

In his written description of this species, Lemaire indicates that A. colenon is very similar to a small Automeris io, but A. colenon lacks or has a greatly reduced brownish spot along the inner margin between the pm line and the submarginal band. However, on plate 50, Figures 6 and 7, the two males depicted show this spot, but it is reduced as compared to that of typical A. io.

Lemaire indicates there are two different male colour morphs, a yellow morph as well as a rosy-beige or orange-tan morph. There is also a cell marking/spot in the male ventral forewing.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing from May until October.

Automeris colenon larvae feed upon grasses (Cynodon).

Automeris colenon female, Mexico,

courtesy of Viktor Suter.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Automeris colenon males use highly developed antennae to locate mates at night by tracking the airbourne pheromone plume.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE: Automeris colenon larvae have urticating spines and feed gregariously. Pupation is in a cocoon spun up amongst ground litter and surrounding grasses. Sixth instar Automeris colenon larva to right courtesy of Kirby Wolfe, copyright protected. 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. Cynodon..... Bermuda grass

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