DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris parafera moth (wingspan: males: 74mm; females: ?? // forewing length: males 34-35mm; females: ) flies in
Peru: Puno: San Gaban at elevations around 700m.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Bernhard Wenczel writes, These were reared on Fagus silvatica, so they would have aalso accepted Quercus.

Moths have been taken in August. 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.

Automeris parafera female,
Puno, Peru, courtesy of Viktor Suter and Bernhard Wenczel

Bernhard Wenczel writes, "Here you get the - probably - first pictures of Automeris parafera, Brechlin & Meister 2014. We got them 2011 from Puno, Peru. The moth looked like A. pomifera but the larva was completely different."

Automeris parafera eighth and final instar,
Puno, Peru, courtesy of Viktor Suter and Bernhard Wenczel

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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

The species name, parafera, signifies a great similarity to A. pomifera.

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.

Fagus sylvatica ....... Quercus

European Beech Oak

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Main Index

Return to Automeris Index

Automeris parafera HT male, 74mm, San Gaban, Peru: Puno,
August 2002, 700m, on my home computer only.