DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris dianae (wingspan: males: 78-92mm; females: 103-107mm // forewing length: males: 40-47mm; females: 53-55mm) flies in
Peru: Cusco: Valle de Quilabamba, collected by Rainer Marx, 2005-12-01;
Peru: Cusco: Vallee de Quillabamba, 5 km San Luis, collected by P. Schmit, 2004-10-08;
Peru: Cusco: Reyna or Nueva Virgen (HT), collected by R. Marx, 2005-01-12;
Peru: Cusco: Manu Park, collected by R. Marx, 1996-11-01.

If my identification at the top of the page is correct, it has been taken as far north as Huanuco, Peru. It has been taken at elevations from 1850-3500m.

Because the image at top of page is not that of a spread specimen, it is hard to gauge if the apex is not at all or only slightly produced (dianae) or produced (lamercedia). The angle of the photograph and/or the dip in the wings can distort the true shape of the wings. I favour lamercedia, based largely on the strong contrast of the yellow lines on the forewing.

The male forewing apex is not at all or only slightly produced with a rounded tip. The hindwing pupil is very heavily suffused with white.

Claude Lemaire (Hemileucinae 2002) lists A. chacona chacona in Peru in Junin and Cusco, but not as far north as Huanuco. Recent (2011) DNA barcoding analysis by Brechlin and Meister has resulted in publication of new names for chacona like species in Peru. Automeris punochacona is reported from Puno; Automeris dianae is reported from Cusco; Automeris mailinae is reported from Pasco. Of the four Peruvian species, I feel the image at top of the page from Huanuco, Peru, is a best match for Automeris dianae.

I did some "digital surgery" on the above image, removing forceps that were used to spread the wings. There are probably some missing white scales near the juncture of the forewings and the body.

The Entomo Satsphingia journals indicate several new species from the "chacona" group:

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January and October-November-December. Moths probably also fly in other months.

The hostplants are unknown.

Automeris dianae female, Cusco, Peru,
on my home computer only.

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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