DISTRIBUTION:

The Pseudautomeris yourii moth (wingspan: males: 87mm; females: 90mm) flies in Ecuador: Napo and Morona Santiago and probably Pastaza and possibly Zamora Chinchipe at elevations around 2000m.

This moth is very similar to P. antioquia, but Pseudautomeris yourii is darker and has a less elongate forewing and only two instead of three yellow iridian projections in the eyespot.

Pseudautomeris yourii male, eastern Ecuador; ca.2200 m (Cosanga)
San Isidro Bird Watching Lodge, August 24, 2006, courtesy of Horst Kach

Pseudautomeris yourii male (verso), eastern Ecuador; ca.2200 m (Cosanga)
San Isidro Bird Watching Lodge, August 24, 2006, courtesy of Horst Kach

Visit Pseudautomeris yourii male and larvae, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador, 2100m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth likely broods when temperature at high altitude permits; records only exist for January, February and April. Horst Kach has just reported specimens taken in August of 2006.

Pseudautomeris yourii male, eastern Ecuador; ca.2200 m (Cosanga)
San Isidro Bird Watching Lodge, January, 2005, courtesy of Horst Kach

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.

Pseudautomeris yourii female, eastern Ecuador; ca.2200 m (Cosanga)
San Isidro Bird Watching Lodge, August 26, 2006, courtesy of Horst Kach

Pseudautomeris yourii female (verso), eastern Ecuador; ca.2200 m (Cosanga)
San Isidro Bird Watching Lodge, August 26, 2006, courtesy of Horst Kach

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Pseudautomeris yourii larvae are similar to Automeris larvae, being gregarious and having urticating spines. Horst Kach reports that under natural conditions this species utilizes Bamboo, but he has reared them on Inga.

Pseudautomeris yourii fifth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador;
May 24, 2009, 2100m, courtesy of Horst Kach

Pseudautomeris yourii fifth instar, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador;
May 24, 2009, 2100m, courtesy of Horst Kach

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.

Bamboo Inga

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