DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris andicola moth (wingspan: males: 55-73mm; females: 75mm) flies in the arid regions of
northwestern Peru: Tumbes, Lambayeque; and
southwestern Ecuador: Manabi; Loja: Jorupe NP; and Guayas; and probably in Canar; and El Oro.

Lemaire groups randa, excreta, tridens, molonyei, oaxacensis and andicola based on genitalia and orange, non-ringed abdomen, and usually diffuse yellow ring of eyespot, and yellow hw postmedial line usually without black scaling internally, except for molonyei where extra black scaling is extensive.

Automeris andicola is the only member of the group from South America.

This species looks like a small A. molonyei, lacking the black scales on inner side of the hindwing antemedial line and around the yellow eyespot ring.

Automeris andicola has an undulate postmedial line, especially near the anal angle of the hindwing.

Specimens have been taken at elevations of 690m (PO) - 800 to 1900m.

Automeris andicola, female, Urruca Lodge, Jorupe National Park, Loja, Ecuador,
February 17, 2011, 690m, courtesy of Pia Oberg, id by Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

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

Larval hosts are unknown but probably of the Mimosioideae family.

Horst Kach writes, "I send you here some pictures of this beautiful Automeris andicola from the very dry area of Manabi, caught just a few meters behind the Beach.

"I have right now some caterpillars in first instar for the first time, and this with much luck because I gave them a very, very big coctail of plants to try and they refused them all. After five days (with no food) they have accepted a Leguminae from a wild stream behind my home. I am very happy!!"

Automeris andicola male, July 20, 2007,
Samvara, Jama, Manabi Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris andicola female, July 18, 2007,
Samvara, Jama, Manabi Province, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris andicola female, courtesy of Horst Kach.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

Automeris andicola male, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris andicola male verso, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris andicola female, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Automeris andicola female verso, courtesy of Horst Kach.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in clusters of 6-40+ on hostplant twigs. Larvae have urticating spines and are gregarious, especially in the early instars.

Automeris andicola first instars, August 18, 2007,
Samvara, Jama, Manabi Province, Ecuador, 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.

Leguminae ....... (HK)

Leguminae .......

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