DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris amagabriellae (wingspan: males: 57-68mm; females: mm // Forewing length: males ; females) flies in
Peru: Amazonas: Montenegro, collectd by R. Marx, 2007-01-12; 900m:
Ecuador: Orellana: Rio Tiputini, 300m (TS); Yasuni (HK).

Automeris junogabriellae male, Peru, courtesy of Eric van Schayck,
digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

I have posted the image from Eric van Schayck on the junogabriellae page and on the montegabriellae page as well as on this page due to the report in the ESs journal that Eric van Schayck supplied DNA material for this junogabriellae, but not for amagabriellae nor for montegabriellae, two closely related species that also fly in Peru. The very small hindwing ocellus is more suggestive of A. montegabriellae as is the lighter appearance of most of the median area. Less likely is the possibility of amagabriellae.

I also suspect that the forewing apex should be more pointed than is evident in A. junogabriellae, but the antennae do seem smaller, suggesting junogabriellae.

Based on recent (2011) DNA barcoding analysis, the range of Automeris gabriellae may be limited to Puno, Peru (HT), and LaPaz, Bolivia. Specimens from Junin, Peru are more likely Automeris junogabriellae while those further north in Bagua chica, Montenegro, Amazonas, Peru are more likely Automeris montegabriellae or Automeris amagabriellae.

The images sent to me by Horst Kach from Ecuador, based on location and images in the Entomo Satsphingia journals seem closest to Automeris amagabriellae.

Visible external differences between the four species seem miniscule and are of nature that would normally be within the confines of variability for a single species. I would not be surprised if the bar has been set too low with regard to DNA barcoding differences allowing for new species designations aong this group. Here is a summary of what appears to be indicated by ESs Journal:

A. gabriellae (HT, Puno, Peru); also confirmed for La Paz, Bolivia. The journals do not offer any correction to Lemaire's image from Cusco, Peru. Male forewing length is given in journals as 35-38mm
A. junogabriellae (HT, Satipo, Junin, Peru) without a confirmed presence in any other departments in Peru. Male forewing length is given in journals as 35-36mm, based on six specimens. The forewing apex is narrower and more sharply pointed, the forewing cell mark is moderately large, and the hindwing ocellus is large and round, compared to other members in the group.
A. montegabriellae (HT, Bagua Chica, Montenegro, Amazonas, Peru) without a confirmed presence in any other departments in Peru. Male forewing length is given in journals as 36-37mm, based on three specimens. The forewing apex is most produced in this species, and the forewing cell mark is smaller than in other species.
A. amagabriellae (HT, Montenegro, Amazonas, Peru), sympatric with A. montegabriellae, and only a single specimen recorded. The hindwing ocellus is larger than in A. montegabriellae, and it might?? be slightly smaller with a male forewing length of 35mm.

DNA barcoding will probably be necessary to distinguish between these four species with any degree of accuracy.

I do note, however, that there is an image of an A. gabriellae male from LaPaz, Bolivia. The underside is shown, revealing a solid black circle surrounding a solid white pupil on the forewing underside, and a postmedial line removed from the white pupil in the cell.

In the verso image, provided by Horst Kach, of the male from Ecuador on the amagabriellae page, the solid black circle in the forewing cell has a possibly significant rectangular extension that meets the lower edge of the costa. On the hindwing, the postmedian line is tangent to the white cell circle.

Automeris gabriellae male (more likely A. amagabriellae or A. montegabriellae),
Yasuni, Orellana, Ecuador, December 5, 2004, 350m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris gabriellae male (verso) (more likely A. amagabriellae or A. montegabriellae),
Yasuni, Orellana, Ecuador, December 5, 2004, 350m, courtesy of Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in October, December and January. There may also be flights in other months.

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.

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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