DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris moloneyi moth (wingspan: males: 54-74mm; females: 76-86mm) flies in
Belize: everywhere;
and Mexico: Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas;
Honduras: Cortés, Francisco Morazán, Olancho, Santa Bárbara, Yoro, Utila Island (AM);
and Guatemala: El Peten.

Visit Automeris moloneyi female, Utila Island, Honduras, courtesy of Andrea Martinez.

Automeris moloneyi male, 60mm, Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, courtesy of Art Gilbert and Norman Smith.

Lemaire groups randa, excreta, tridens, molonyei, oaxacensis and andicola based on genitalia and orange, non-ringed abdomen, and usually diffuse yellow ring of eyespot, and yellow hw postmedial line usually without black scaling internally, except for moloneyi where extra black scaling is extensive.

A. moloneyi is a lowland species.

The male is most similar to A. tridens with apex rounded, not slightly produced and pointed as in the montane species A. excreta. The underside of moloneyi is predominantly beige-orange while in tridens it is yellow.

The distinguishing features between moloneyi and tridens are the black scales around the eyespot and on both sides of the hindwing yellow pm band.

The following image was sent to me as Automeris excreta, but I feel it is more likley something else, most likely A. moloneyi.

Automeris excreta moth courtesy of Leroy Simon. B. Oehlke not comfortable with id

Automeris moloneyi male, 73mm, Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, courtesy of Art Gilbet Norman Smith.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing from May-October, suggesting at least two broods.

Larvae feed on Saccharum officinarum in the wild and have been reared on Quercus in the lab.

Automeris moloneyi female, Mexico, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females (above) 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 moloneyi larvae much protection.

Automeris moloneyi fifth instar, Mexico, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Quercus Saccharum officinarum .......

Oak Sugarcane

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