DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris bilinea moth (wingspan: males: 82-95mm; females: 91-122mm) flies in savannas in
Surinam;
Brazil: Para, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Goias, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais;
Bolivia: Santa Cruz;
Colombia: Norte de Santander; and Venezuela: Delta Amacura, Bolivar, Aragua, Carabobo, Barinas.

Note wide yellow ring around eyespot and extra black scaling on yellow postmedial line of hindwing.

Automeris bilinea tamphilus male, Guaira, Paraguay,
courtesy of Ulf Drechsel, tentative * id by Bill Oehlke.

If the specimen depicted above is the nominate A. bilinea bilinea, then it also flies in
Paraguay: UD: Cordillera, Paraguari, Guaira, Alto Parana, and (probably Caaguazu, Caazapa and maybe Itapua).

* Lemaire indicates neither A. b. bilinea nor A. b. tamphilus for Paraguay. His stated ranges, however, indicate A. b. tamphilus with a more southerly range in Brazil so I have tentatively identified the specimen from Guaira (above) as A. b. tamphilus. Ulf Drechsel also has A. bilinea listed for Concepcion Department in Paraguay, and I believe that is more likely the nominate subspecies. The difference seems more a slight variation in colour as there are no consistent differences in genitalia. Lemaire indicates tamphilus generally has a chrome coloured fw terminal area in sharper contrast to the more uniform baso-median area, and in that regard the specimen depicted above is more like the nominate subspecies.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

There are at least two generations per year with peak flights in January, March-April and May-June-July, October.

In Europe, Bernhard Wenczel reports Salix sp. (willow), Rosacaeae (rose, cherry), and Fagaceae (beech, oak, chestnut) are used with great success.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen to call in the night flying males.

Automeris bilinea female by Viktor Suter, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Males are able to locate the females by tracking the airbourne pheromone with their highly developed antennae.

This species mates readily in captivity. Peak activity occurs from 10:30 pm until shortly after midnight.

Automeris bilinea male by Viktor Suter, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are laid in clusters.

Larvae are gregarious and are well protected with urticating spines.

Automeris bilinea fourth instar, Brazil, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Automeris bilinea larva by Viktor Suter, courtesy of Bernhard 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.

Fagus..... Rosa Salix

Beech Rose Wilow

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