DISTRIBUTION: The Automeris io neomexicana moth flies in New Mexico from the mountains just west of Santa Fe to the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas. Lemaire states, "My conclusion is that neomexicana cannot be retained as a valid name and is to be placed in synonymy with io." The images and much of this information on this page are courtesy of Joel Szymczyk, a resident of New Mexico. Male, to the right, sets in a typical resting pose, wings folded tent-like over its back.

The specimens Joel provides all show the tan/buff colored male ground colour associated with neomexicana even when there are two broods. Nominate io usually have a much yellower colouration, especially in broods subsequent to overwintering stock.

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I am not aware of the source for Automeris, but io is from Io, who, in Greek mythology, is the daughter of the river god Inachus. She was loved by the god Zeus, who changed her into a white heifer to deceive her mother, Hera.

The subspecies name is for the specimen type locality, Jemez Springs, New Mexico.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Automeris io neomexicana adults are on the wing in May-June. There is usually a second brood in September. Larvae feed on Glycyrrhiza, Quercus rubra and Salix.

Automeris io neomexicana, Lincoln Nat. Forest, somewhere near Cloudcroft, New Mexico,
courtesy of Joel Szymzcyk.

As with nominate io, female neomexicana have darker forewings. This female flashes (considered a defensive startle mechanism) "mammalian" eyespots in lower wings.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the considerably larger females.

Male courtesy of Joel Szymczyk.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE: