DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris amanda amanda (wingspan: males: 78-91mm; females: 93-104mm) flies in tropical rain forests in
southeastern Peru: Cusco, (probably Puno (WO)); and
in the Andean mountains of Bolivia: La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz; at medium elevations of 1500-2500m.

The abdomen is orange, ringed with broad black bands. The hindwing has a broad, orange, undulate postmedial line.

Based on 2011 DNA barcoding results, as published in Entomo Satsphingia Jahrgang 4 Heft 1 23.03.2011 by Brechlin and Meister, it now appears there are seven species in this subgroup:

Automeris amanda amanda from Bolivia (LT): LaPaz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and possibly Puno, Peru;
Automeris amanda amandocuscoensis from Cusco (HT), Peru;
Automeris amanda amandojunica from Junin (HT) and Pasco, Peru;
Automeris amanda limpida from northern and central Peru: Cajamarca (HT), San Martin, Huanuco, possibly into Pasco;
Automeris amanda subobscura from Colombia: Cundinamarca (HT) and eastern Ecuador;
Automeris amanda lichyi from venezuela: Aragua (HT); and
Automeris amanda tucumana from Argentina: Tucuman (HT) and Salta and possibly southern Bolivia.

Automeris amanda amanda males, Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

Automeris amanda male, Bolivia, 102mm, BOLD Systems.

Automeris amanda male, Bolivia, 101mm, BOLD Systems.

Measurements of two specimens depicted above may be "inflated" as they are from photos.

Automeris amanda amanda male ?? (probably A. amandojunica, Satipo, Junin, Peru,
1200m, courtesy of Philippe Brems, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

I think the moth displayed above from Satipo may be an undescribed subspecies. The forewing pm line seems to be too preapical to be amanda, and there is less orange in the hindwing post median areas than I would expect for amanda.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing from October through May, probably as at least two flights.

Larvae feed on Gourliea, Piptadena and Selinum.

In captivity larvae will accept acacia.

In Europe, Bernhard Wenczel reports Salix caprea is used with some success.

Automeris amanda amanda???? courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Automeris amanda amanda ???? male, Bolivia, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Automeris amanda amanda female ????, Bolivia, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

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.

Automeris amanda amanda female, Nor Yungas, La Paz, Bolivia,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

Automeris amanda amanda by Viktor Suter, courtesy of Bernard Wenczel.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Urticating spines offer the Automeris larvae much protection.

Automeris amanda amanda fifth instar, Bolivia, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Automeris amanda amanda by Viktor Suter, courtesy of Bernard Wenczel.

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.

Gourliea Piptadena....... Salix caprea Selinum

Gourliea Piptadena Sallow/Goat willow Silenum

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