DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris aknorkei moth (wingspan: males: 64mm; females: ?? // forewing length: males: 35mm; females: mm) flies in
Mexico: Chiapas: Pueblo Nuevo, at elevations around 1710m.

Only a single specimen is reported. It is very similar to Automeri pallidior but is slightly larger than all pallidior sampled. The hindwing ocellus of A. aknorkei is quite small and is quite distant from the median band, and the forewing median field is light and bright, showing more contrast to the basal and postmedian areas of aknorkei than is shown in the more uniformly coloured pallidior from Mexico and Baja Verapaz, Guatemala.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in May. There are probably additional flight months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae probably pupate in a very flimsy cocoon spun amongst leaf litter.

The species name, aknorkei, is honourific for Andreas Knorke.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticiated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

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