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Updated as per personal communication with Ronald D. Cave (Honduras), July 2007 Updated as per personal communication with Norman Smith (Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize); November 2009 Updated as per personal communication with Andrea Martinez (Utila Island, Honduras); November 2010 |
TAXONOMY:Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 |
"Someone to Watch Over Me" |
Visit Automeris moloneyi female, Utila Island, Honduras, courtesy of Andrea Martinez.
Automeris moloneyi male, 60mm, Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, courtesy of Art Gilbert and Norman Smith.
A. moloneyi is a lowland species.
The male is most similar to A. tridens with apex rounded, not slightly produced and pointed as in the montane species A. excreta. The underside of moloneyi is predominantly beige-orange while in tridens it is yellow.
The distinguishing features between moloneyi and tridens are the black scales around the eyespot and on both sides of the hindwing yellow pm band.
The following image was sent to me as Automeris excreta, but I feel it is more likley something else, most likely A. moloneyi.
Automeris excreta moth courtesy of Leroy Simon. B. Oehlke not comfortable with id
Automeris moloneyi male, 73mm, Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, courtesy of Art Gilbet Norman Smith.
Larvae feed on Saccharum officinarum in the wild and have been reared on Quercus in the lab.
Automeris moloneyi female, Mexico, courtesy of Leroy Simon.
Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.
Urticating spines offer the Automeris moloneyi larvae much protection.
Automeris moloneyi fifth instar, Mexico, courtesy of Leroy Simon.
Quercus | Oak |
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