DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudautomeris toulgoeti (wingspan: males: 89-91mm; females: 115mm) flies in
French Guiana: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, Mana, Cayenne, Barrage Petit Saut, Regina, Nancibo, Kaw (OM).

This species has an elongate, dark, orange-brown forewing with a dark gray discal spot.

Pseudautomeris toulgoeti male, French Guiana,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck,
tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

The image above was originally sent to me as Pseudautomeris irene, and it could be that species, but because of wing shape, almost non existent pm band, more boradly preapical pm line, very narrow circling of hindwing pupil in yellow and weak irridian markings in the hw iris, I think it is more likely P. toulgeoti. Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing January and June-July, suggesting at least two broods.

Pseudautomeris toulgoeti female, French Guiana,
courtesy of Frederic Beneluz.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen to call in the night-flying males. Most male activity occurs in the two hours before midnight.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Pseudautomeris toulgoeti larvae are similar to Automeris larvae, being gregarious and having urticating spines.

Pseudautomeris toulgoeti fifth instar, Kaw, French Guiana,
January 29, 2010, courtesy of Ott Maasikas, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

The larva depicted above seems to have the spinage of a Pseudautomeris species. It is not a good match for the images I have of P. lata, Pseudautomeris salmonea or Pseudautomeris irene. By process of elimination (only four Pseudautomeris species recorded in French Guiana), I have tentatively identified it as P. toulgeoti. In Lemaire's 2002 Hemileucinae the biology of this species is "unknown".

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.

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