DISTRIBUTION:

The rare Erythromeris saturniata moth (wingspan: males: 67-74mm; females: 72mm) flies in high elevation cloud forests (2500-3500 m) in
Columbia: Santander, Cundinamarca, Meta, Boyaca, Caldas; probably more extensive.

Erythromeris saturniata male, Sogamoso, Boyaca, Colombia,
found on an Ericacea in a Paramo near Sogamoso (3200m of elevevation) and reared in captivity on Pieris sp,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

Erythromeris saturniata male, Sogamoso, Boyaca, Colombia,
found on an Ericacea in a Paramo near Sogamoso (3200m of elevevation) and reared in captivity on Pieris sp,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February. There may be additional flights.

Thibaud Decaens reports them in the wild on Ericacea in a Paramo near Sogamoso (3200m of elevevation), Boyaca, Colombia, and he has reared them in captivity on Pieris sp.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.

Urticating spines offer the Erythromeris saturniata larvae much protection.

Erythromeris saturnata on heather (Ericacae), Sogamoso, Boyaca, Colombia,
courtesy of Andrea Cuellar Criollo, via Thibaud Decaens.

Erythromeris saturnata on heather (Ericacae), Sogamoso, Boyaca, Colombia,
courtesy of Andrea Cuellar Criollo, via Thibaud Decaens.

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.

Acer Ericacea (TD) Ligustrum Pieris (TD) Platanus orientalis Robinia pseudoacacia....... Solanum tuberosum Solanum variabile

Maple Heather Privet Fetterbush Oriental sycamore Black locust/False acacia Potatoe Nightshade

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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 do not know the origin of the genus name Erythromeris, but the prefix "erythro" is from the Greek, meaning "red", probably refering to the reddish scaling of the hindwings, especially prominent in the specimen type, E. saturniata.

I don't know why Walker chose the species name "saturniata" for this moth as it lacks the forewing "rings" so often associated with Saturn.

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