Automeris denhezorum
Lemaire, 1966

Automeris denhezorum moth (male) courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Automeris, Hubner, [1819]

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris denhezorum moth (wingspan: males: 69-95mm; females: 85-105mm) is a Colombian endemic: Antioquia; restricted to medium elevations (1000-2300 m) on the western slopes of the Andes.

Ground colour is light gray-beige and the postmedial line is quite preapical as compared to similar species. The hindwing postmedial line is almost smooth, less undulating than in look-alike species, A. amanda.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been recorded for all months except January.

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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