Gamelia neidhoeferi female, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.
Gamelia neidhoeferi female, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.
Dr. Lemaire's confirmed reports are indicated by his initials (CL). Additions beyond that will receive a special note.
I, William Oehlke, have added some interpolations, designated by my initials (WO). Some of my interpolations will doubtless prove to be inaccurate.
This page is inspired by and dedicated to Horst Kach who has been sending me beautiful images of Saturniidae from Ecuador, along with data. I am hoping that over the years, these checklists will become even more comprehensive and accurate. Those species followed by HK are confirmed by Horst Kach. Uwe Kauz (UK) has also begun to send me some nice images from Esmeraldas Province, probably from Rio Lita region, but possibly from Lita, Imbabura Province. Carlos Mielke (CM) has also sent some images with locations for Ecuador.
This is a work in progress, and I am just now (June 13, 2006) starting with the Automeris species.
The high elevation Andes Mountains, running central-north to south, divide the country into diverse eco-systems. Much of the land in the smaller central provinces from Carchi in the north to El Oro, Loja and Zamora-Chinchipe in the south is at very high elevation and only hospitable to a few high altitude Saturniidae species.
The high to medium altitude western slopes of the Andes and the western coastal plain offer habitat for many more species in Esmeraldas, Manabi, Guayas and Los Rios.
The high to medium eastern slopes of the Andes
and the low level flatter plains found in Sucumbios, Napo, Orellana
and Pastaza provinces seem to offer the greatest diversity of
Saturniidae species. The eastern half of Morona-Santiago offers
similar habitat.
Note: Sucumbios and Orellana were once considered part of Napo.
Pichincha province is a bit unique in that it offers species from both the eastern and western slopes, mostly at medium to high altitude.
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