DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris caucensis (wingspan: males: 59-65mm; females: 64mm) flies in
western Colombia: Valle (probably Cauca and Nariano (WO?)); and
*western Ecuador: Pichincha: Pululahua(HK), Imbabura: Intag (HK), (probably Carchi and eastern Esmeraldas (WO?)).

* I am now pretty sure that the specimens from western Ecuador, previously displayed on this page, are those of recently described Automeris doelfi, and I have moved them to the doelfi file.

I think A. caucensis may be limited to western Colombia.

As of 2013, the Automeris alticola Group consists of the following species:

alticarchensis Ecuador: Carchi
alticola Ecuador: Napo
winbrechlini Ecuador: Loja; Morona-Santiago
caucensis western Colombia; * ?? Ecuador ??
doelfi Ecuador: Pichincha; Imbabura
huascari Ecuador: Morona Santiago
iguaquensis eastern Colombia
iwanowitschi Ecuador: Sucumbios; Napo
napoensis eastern Ecuador
papallactensis Ecuador: Napo
sachai Ecuador: Carchi

Visit Automeris alticola Group Comparison Plate

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in March, October, November and December.

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 blades. 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.

Bamboo Grasses

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