DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris papallactensis moth (wingspan: males: mm; females: 60mm // forewing length: males mm; females: 36mm) flies in
Ecuador: Napo: Papallacta; at elevations around 3010m.

Now, 2014, recognized as a synonym of A. ivanowitschi.

The male of this species is unknown, but the female is very similar too but slightly larger than the female napoensis.

The hindwing ocellus is smaller and rounder in papallactensis, while in napoensis it tends to be slightly oval and larger. See note directly above. Male is now known.

As of 2013, the Automeris alticola Group consists of the following species:

alticarchensis Ecuador: Carchi
alticola Ecuador: Napo
winbrechlini Ecuador: Loja
caucensis western Colombia; ?? Ecuador ??
doelfi Ecuador: Pichincha; Imbabura
huascari Ecuador: Morona Santiago
iguaquensis eastern Colombia
iwanowitschi Ecuador: Sucumbios; Napo
napoensis eastern Ecuador
papallactensis Ecuador: Napo
sachai Ecuador: Carchi

Visit Automeris alticola Group Comparison Plate

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in November. There are probably additional flight months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae probably pupate in a very flimsy cocoon spun amongst leaf litter.

The species name, papallactensis, is indicative of a specimen type locale in Papallacta, Napo, Ecuador.

Larval Food Plants

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

Eugena Malosma (=Rhus) laurina ........ Myrcia Protium heptaphyllum

Eugena Laurel Sumac Myrcia Incense Tree

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