DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris peigleri moth (wingspan: males: 71-80mm; females: 83-93mm) flies in Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi in northeastern Mexico.

This moth was originally described as a subspecies of A. cecrops but was elevated to full species status in 1993. The size of the hindwing ocellus seems quite variable.

Automeris peigleri male, West Iturbide, Nuevo Leon, Mexico,
74mm, July 16, 1979, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in July and August.

In captivity, larvae accept Populus alba. Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter reared the Automeris peigleri depicted on this page and credited to them on Quercus turneri and Salix caprea.

Automeris peigleri male, south of Monterrey, Chipinque Mesa, Nuevo Leon, Mexico,
81mm, August 4-5, 1986, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent

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 peigleri female, Mexico,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter.

Automeris peigleri female, 85mm, West of Iturbide, Nuevo Leon, Mexico,
July 16, 1979, courtesy of Ryan Saint Laurent.

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. The spine cores and tips are black in the third instar.

Automeris peigleri, Mexico,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter

Automeris peigleri, Mexico,
courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter

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.

Populus alba........ Quercus turneri Salix caprea

White poplar Turner's Oak Pussy Willow/Goat Willow

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On my home computer only: Automeris peigleri male and female, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Automeris peigleri third instar, Mexico,
Valentin Muinos Rodriguez, on my home computer only.