DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris macphaili moth (wingspan: males: 87-95mm; females: 110-113mm) flies in
Guatemala: Izabal, Zacapa;
Honduras: Cortes, Yoro (RDC); and
Mexico: Oaxaca, Chiapas; and possibly in
Belize: Cayo.

Automeris macphaili male, Honduras, courtesy of Ronald D. Cave.

Automeris macphaili has a rounded forewing apex and a uniform greyish-beige to olive ground colour. The black, slightly preapical pm line is prominent and is either straight or slightly concave, not so far removed fromthe anal angle where it meets the inner margin.

The large hindwing eyespot has a large oval pupil, heavily suffused in white, with a light brown iris in sharp contrast to its thick black outer ring.

So far it has been recorded at elevations from 100 to 1500m.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May and July-August-September.

Natural larval hosts are unknown; Kirby Wolfe reports rearing success with Robinia pseudoacacia.

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 females.

Automeris macphaili female Copyright protected courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.

Urticating spines offer the Automeris macphaili larvae much protection.

Automeris macphaili larva Copyright protected courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

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.

Robinia pseudoacacia.......

False acacia

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Automeris macphaili male, 90mm, Chiapas, Mexico,
on my home computer only.