DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris kaechi (wingspan: males: 86mm; females: mm // forewing length: males: 45mm; females: larger) flies in
Ecuador: Napo: Rio Hollin, May 5, 2008; Puerto Misahualli, October, 2001, 400m (TS);
Sucumbios: Lunbaqui, October; and
Pastaza?

The preapical, convex pm line is subparallel to the outer margin. Ground colour is very dark, and even darker lines have a faint tracing of silvery white on facing sides. There is a light suffusion of silver in the median area.

Only a few specimens have been taken, at elevations of 400(TS)-600-1200m.

Automeris kaechi male, Puerto Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
80mm, October 2003, 400m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The specimen type was taken on May 5, 2008. If my id at top of page is correct, there is also an April flight. There are probably additional flight months, including July and October, based on an image from Terry Stoddard.

Automeris kaechi male, Puerto Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
86mm, October 2001, 400m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

I have no verified image of a female A. kaechi for comparison, but I believe the following is a female A. kaechi due to convex pm line and general shape of the am line and darker basal area. The hindwing ocellus also seems a good match.

Automeris kaechi male, Rio Tiputini, Yasuni, Orellana, Ecuador,
80mm, November 2003, 300m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard.

Automeris kaechi male, Puerto Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
80mm, October 2003, 400m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard.

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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Automeris kaechi male, Napo, Ecuador,
on my home computer only.