DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris melanops (wingspan: males: 70-78-88(RSL)mm; females: 70-99mm) flies in
Brazil: Alagoas; Bahia; Rio de Janeiro; Parana (CM); Sao Paulo; Santa Catarina, (probably Espirito Santo (WO?)), at elevations generally below 500m.

Automeris melanops male, 88mm, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
February, Cornell University Collection, via Ryan Saint Laurent

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Automeris melanops larvae feed on Hibiscus tiliaceus, Platanus orientalis, Schinus terebinthifolius, Tamarindus indica, Terminalia catappa and Tipuana speciosa.

Automeris melanops female, 97mm, Itatiaya, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
January, Cornell University Collection, via Ryan Saint Laurent

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.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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

Urticating spines offer the Automeris melanops larvae much protection.

Automeris melanops 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.

Hibiscus tiliaceus Platanus orientalis Schinus terebinthifolius..... Tamarindus indica Terminalia catappa Tipuana speciosa

Sea hibiscus American Plane tree Brazil peppertree Tamarind Indian almond Tipuana speciosa

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