Despite its small size (57mm wingspan), I have determined the specimen from Las Cuevas, Cayo, Belize, to be A. escalantei primarily because of location and predominance of red on the abdomen.

This specimen could be A. pallidior as originally suggested by Norman Smith (size is a better match for the smaller pallidior), but Lemaire does not list pallidior from Belize, and he indicates the abdomen of pallidior is predominantly black with a red anal tuft.

Lemaire indicates it may be necessary to examine genitalia to distinguish between montezuma, escalantei and pallidior where their respective ranges overlap, and it would not be impossible for the range of pallidior to extend into Belize. I had earlier determined this moth to be A. montezuma, but the convex lower 3/4 of the forewing outer margin leads me to believe it is A. escalantei. I also think montezuma has much less pink beteen the hindwing costa and the vein tangent to the top of the ocellus, as well as less pink in the hindwing post median band.

Automeris montezuma/escalantei male, Mexico, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

The image sent to me by Art Gilbert was significantly larger than the one displayed on this page, and, in the larger image, I am pretty sure I can see remnants of yellow scaling on facing sides of the am and pm lines.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Automeris, Hubner, [1819]

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris escalantei moth (wingspan: males: 66mm; females: probably larger) flies in
Mexico: Oaxaca (1300m), Chiapas (1200m);
Guatemala: Alta Verapaz (1300m) and Izabal (JM); Baja Verapaz (PHvAM) (1656m); and
Honduras: Cortes; as a montane (1200-1300m) species.

Automeris escalantei lacks the yellow dots at the intersections of the forewing veins and the pm line; otherwise, it is very difficult to distinguish from A. montezuma.

In 2014 Brechlin and Meister confirm that the moth they described as A. altapzia, 2011, is a junior synonym of A.escalantei.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in March, June, July, August (PHvAM) and September. Native larval hosts are unknown, but Alan Marson has had success using Wisteria as a host. Alan also reports Rubus fruticosus has successfully been used as a host in the UK, and he is using it for feeding larvae of subsequent pairings from original stock.

Automeris altapazia=escalantei male, Mexico, courtesy/copyright of Esperanza Insects.

Automeris altapazia = escalantei*? male, Cortes, Honduras,
courtesy/copyright Eduardo Marabuto, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

*? I think the above specimen is most likely a worn Automeris altapazia = escalantei that has lost its yellow-gold scales. I had originally posted it to the escalantei file, before the new descriptions of 2011 became available.

Brechlin and Meister, 2011, show the very similar A. escalantei (mfwl: 33-35) as having a considerably more convex forewing outer margin, slightly more hollowed out below a slightly pointed but non-produced apex.

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.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

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.

Rubus fruticosus (AM) ........ Wisteria (AM)

Blackberry/Bramble Wisteria

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