Determining Automeris species is becoming more and more difficult as there are a considerable number of very similar species, even some that are sympatric.

As of the end of 2011 there are now twelve Automeris species in the Egeus Group. I am hoping that the following keys on the Egeus Group Comparison Chart will help me and others with determinations. Location, wingspan, elevation can all be very helpful in making more accurate determinations. In some cases DNA barcoding analysis might be required to reach an accurate identification.

DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris mixtus (wingspan: males: 97-109mm; females: 113mm // forewing length: males: 50-56mm; females: 58mm) flies in
Peru: Cajamarca: Cutervo, 2006-11-01;
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa: La Suiza, collected by B. Wenczel, 2002-12-01;
Ecuador: Napo (B & M).

It seems it may be included in Venezuela and may represent a sister species of larra with larra being found in eastern Guyana-Amazon region and mixtus being found in western Guyana-Amazon region, both species at low elevations.

Peter Bruce-Jones sends the following image from Shima, Junin, Peru. Originally I felt it to be either Automeris larra or Automeris boops. Its elevation of 700m is a bit high for larra, but it is a bit low for boops. Geography, according to Lemaire's Hemileucinae, 2002 is a better match for boops, but the dark submarginal band is deeply notched as in Automeris larra. The broad forewing cell marking is also more typical of larra.

Based on recent DNA barcoding results, I now think it is Automeris mixtus, but I cannot rule out paralarra. The lighter specimen (John Christensen) at slightly lower elevation in Shima is an even better match for paralarra which is described as having a brighter, lighter brown forewing compared to both mixtus and larra

Automeris larra/paralarra/mixtus ? male, Shima, Junin, Peru,
June 14, 2010, 700m, might be A. boops, courtesy of Peter Bruce-Jones.

Automeris mixtus (more likely paralarra) male, Rio Shima, Junin, Peru,
mid May, 2014, 450m, courtesy of John Christensen,
tentative id by Bill Oehlke, could be paralarra.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in November-December. Moths probably also fly in other months.

Automeris mixtus or Automeris larra ?? female, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Automeris mixtus female, La Suiza, Pasco, Peru,
barcoded as mixtus, Ron Brechlin, on my home computer only.

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.

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.

.......

Return to Main Index

Return to Automeris Genus

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

Automeris mixtus male, courtesy of Frank Meister

Automeris mixtus male, courtesy of Eric Van Schayck

Automeris mixtus male, courtesy of Eric Van Schayck

Automeris mixtus male, courtesy of Ron Brechlin