DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris rectilinea (wingspan: males: 55-63mm; females: 70-71mm) flies in Brazilian cerrados at elevations up to 1450 m in
South Brazil: Alagoas, Goias, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, (probably Bahia (WO?)); and
Bolivia: La Paz, Santa Cruz.

Males and females are quite similar in this distinctively marked species.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing Feb-March-April, October-November-December, suggesting at least two broods.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

Automeris rectilinea female, 71mm, Lassanoe, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
November 1919, Cornell University Collection, via Ryan Saint Laurent.

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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