DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris godartii moth (wingspan: males: 70-83mm; females: 95-110mm) flies in
French Guiana: Fleuve l'Oyapok, Alikoto, Camopi, Route de Cayenne a Regina, Cacao, Nancibo, Riviere Comte, Montsinery, Kourou, Saint-Jean-du-Maroni, Saul;
northern Brazil: Amazonas, Para; and
southeastern Venezuela: Bolivar.

I suspect it also flies in Guyana and Suriname.

The forewing of Automeris godartii is less elongate as compared to bilinea. Females can be especially difficult to distinguish from those of cintistrigata, jucundoides, fieldi and duchartrei. Males can usually only be distinguished by examination of genitalia; females sometimes cannot even be determined by examination of genitalia.

Automeris cinctistriga or godartii (male), French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck, id by Frederic Beneluz.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing March-April-May-June, August, November-December-January-February, suggesting several broods.

Automeris godartii larvae feed on Gleditsia tracanthos and Salix babylonica in the lab. Natural hosts are unknown.

Automeris godartii by Claude Lemaire.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

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. Image courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

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.

Gleditsia tracanthos......... Salix babylonica

Honeylocust Willow

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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, but godarti is honourific for Godart.

Automeris godartii female, Claude Lemaire, on my home computer only.

The following image(s) may or may not appear on your monitor, depending upon whether or not I get permission from respective photographers/owners to display them. I do have permission for my own private use.

Automeris godartii male, Kourou, French Guiana,
August 1, 2003, collection of J.P.Passelecq, photo copyright Rene Lahousse,
French Guiana Systematique.

Automeris godartii male, Cacao, French Guiana,
August 2002, collection of J.P.Passelecq, photo copyright Rene Lahousse,
French Guiana Systematique.

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