DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris phrynon (wingspan: males: 67-74mm; females: 86-104mm) flies in hyper-humid tropical forests at elevations of 20 m -1400 m in
Costa Rica: Heredia, Guanacaste (DJ), Alajuela, Limon, Puntarenas (IB);
Panama: Chiriqui (probably throughout Panama (WO?));
and western Ecuador: Pichincha and Canar; Horst Kach confirms them from Lita and Durango, Esmeraldas (not common).
It also flies in western Colombia: Valle del Cauca and (probably Antioquia, Choco and Nariono (WO?)).

Ronald D. Cave indicates it flies in Honduras: Atlantida.

Jose Monzon reports it in Guatemala: Izabal.

Automeris phrynon female, Durango (Esmeraldas), Ecuador,
February 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species has been taken in Lita (Esmeraldas), Ecuador, in December (HK) and in Durango (Esmeraldas), Ecuador in February (HK).

Kirby Wolfe has successfully reared larvae on Gliricidia sepium ("madero negro") and Diphysa robinoides ("guachipelín") (both Fabaceae) in Costa Rica.

Visit Automeris phrynon male, female and fifth instar larva, Santa Rosa, Puriscal, San Jose, Costa Rica, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Automeris phrynon female, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
December 15, 2006, courtesy of Horst Kach, uncommon.

From Colombia there are records for July, September-October, December and February, suggesting at least three broods annually. It probably broods continuously.

Automeris phrynon larvae feed on Rhus laurina and Ligustrum.

In Costa Rica they have been reared on Pterocarpus rohrii.

Automeris phrynon female, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Automeris phrynon female (verso), Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Automeris phrynon male (verso), Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Automeris phrynon female, Durango (Esmeraldas), Ecuador,
February 2007, courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Egg laying begins at dusk and eggs are green when first deposited, turning white with age. Typical of the genus, eggs are laid in large groups (50-80), spiny larvae are gregarious and yellow with black heads in the first two instars, and cocoons are often spun up after larvae leave the host plant. Larvae have urticating spines. Photo courtesy of Dan Janzen

Body spines are quite long and almost appear to be "back-combed" with the tips of the spines slanted toward the head. Spiracular ovals are orange, ringed with yellow.

Automeris phrynon hatchlings, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Automeris phrynon second instar, Lita, Esmeraldas, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris phrynon fifth instar, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Automeris phrynon fifth instar, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

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.

Diphysa robinoides (KW) Gliricidia sepium (KW)....... Ligustrum Pterocarpus rohrii Rhus laurina

Guachipelín Madero negro Privet Pterocarpus rohrii Laurel sumac

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I am not aware of the source for Automeris.

Phrynon was a Greek statuary (statue or sculptor) from around 408 B.C. He is briefly described by Pliny as a disciple of Polycleitus. In another Greek history, Phrynon of Rhamnus was captured by privateers, during the Olympian truce, sometime between 390 and 322 B.C. It appears the species name is neither descriptive, nor honourific for a comtemporary. Druce probably chose it from Greek writings.

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