DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris sachai moth (wingspan: males: 51mm; females: 57mm // forewing length: males 30mm; females: 35mm) flies in
Ecuador: Carchi: El Angel Ecological Reserve; at elevations around 2710-3300m.

This species is slightly darker and smaller than A. doelfi. The forewing pm line is less concave than doelfi and it shows a noticeable outturn and quick inturn just below the cell. The forewing cell is larger and darker than that of doelfi and seems to have a smaller white pupil.

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 January and 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.

Automeris sachai AT female, 57mm, El Angel Ecological Reserve, Carchi, Ecuador,
November 9, 2012, 2785m, on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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

The species name, sachai, is honourific for Sacha Kaech, son of Horst Kaech.

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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