DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris paramelanops (wingspan: males: 75mm; females: mm; forewing length: males: 36mm; females: probably larger) flies in
Paraguay: Reserva Puerto Adela, Caaguazu, 2002-10-15.
This moth possibly also flies in Dos de Mayo, Misiones, Argentina, based on image at top of this page.

The moth derives its name from a great resemblance to A. melanops and a speciomen type locale in Paraguay. The hindwing ocellus in A. paramelanops is more removed from the pm band, and the entire ocellus is surrounded in orangey-yellow as opposed to the ocellus in melanops which is much closer to the pm band and is bordered internally by reddish grey hairs. A. paramelanops also tends to be more reddish in its ground colour as opposed to the darker brownish tint of melanops.

It remains to be seen if the new determination will stand the test of time.

Automeris paramelanops male (verso), Dos de Mayo, Misiones, Argentina,
courtesy of "dynastes", tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in Paraguay in October.

If my determinations at top of page and below are correct, it also flies in northeastern Argentina.

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.

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