DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris mideperuensis (wingspan: males: 74- 80mm; females: probably larger // forewing length: males: 38-41mm; females: probably larger) flies in
Peru: Amazonas (HT): Campos seis near Bagua, collected by R. Marx, 2007-01-04;
Peru: Amazonas: Bagua, -5.26667, -78.3833, 2007-04-15;
Peru: San Martin;
Peru: Junin;
Peru : Cusco: Vallee de Quillabamba, collected by R. Marx, 2006-10-15.

It might also occur in northwestern Bolivia.??

It has been taken at elevations from 850-1800m.

Vladimir Izersky's image from Junin, Peru (top of page), shows a pm line that is unusually far removed from the outer margin; other characters are consistent with A. midea, except for the more produced apex, a feature of A. mideperuensis. The moth may be an undescribed species or subspecies or just a variation, but I am pretty sure it is the recently (2011) described species, Automeris mideperuensis.

Automeris midea male (more likely Automeris mideperuensis), Beni, Bolivia,
T. Decaëns & G. Lecourt

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January, March-April and October-November-December. There may also be flights in other months.

Automeris midea female (more likely Automeris mideperuensis), Peru,
copyright Viktor Suter, tentative id as mideperuensis by Bill Oehlke.

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.

Automeris midea 7th instar, (more likely Automeris mideperuensis), Peru, copyright Viktor Suter

The species name is indicative of a similarity to Automeris midea and a specimen type in Peru: Amazonas.

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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Return to Automeris Genus

Automeris cinctistriga male, ( probably mideperuensis) Rio Venado, Junin, Peru,
January 19, 2007, 1050m, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.

Automeris mideperuensis male, 78mm, Amazonas, Peru,
on my home computer only.

Automeris cinctastriga male ( probably mideperuensis): Satipo, Junin, Peru,
courtesy of Philippe Brems, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris cinctistriga male, (probably mideperuensis), Rio Venado Village, Satipo, Junin, Peru,
70mm, February 3, 1200m, courtesy of Philippe Brems, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris cinctistriga (male) (possibly mideperuensis): Junin, Peru, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Automeris cinctistriga (male) (possibly mideperuensis): Junin, Peru, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.