DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris lemairei moth (wingspan: males: 59-73mm; females: 84mm) flies in
Mexico: Guerrero and Oaxaca: Mixtepec; at elevations up to 1300m.

Automeris lemairei male, Mixtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico,
June 20, 2001, courtesy of John Kamps.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May-June-July-August.

Natural larval hosts are unknown. Jan Hellert has reared this species on Robinia pseudoacacia.

Automeris lemairei female courtesy of Jan Hellert

Automeris lemairei female, Mixtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico,
June 20, 2001, courtesy of John Kamps.

Automeris lemairei female, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

Automeris lemairei female, Oaxaca, Mexico,
600m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

Automeris lemairei female, Oaxaca, Mexico,
600m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Automeris lemairei females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males (pictures below courtesy of Chris Conlan and Jan Hellert) have lighter coloured forewings and use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Urticating spines offer the Automeris lemairei larvae much protection. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Automeris lemairei seventh instars, Oaxaca, Mexico,
600m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

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.

Robinia pseudoacacia.......

False acacia

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