DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris santaclariana (wingspan: males: 74-80mm; females: probably larger // forewing length: males: 38-41mm; females: probably larger) flies in
Ecuador: Pastaza: Santa Clara, 2008-01-02;
Peru: Amazonas: Muyo Oliva, 1999-06-15.

Frederic Beneluz has sent me a pdf copy of Description du Male d' Automeris despicata Dradudt, 1929 in The European Entommologist, Vol. 4, Number 4, p 195 where Frederic describes the male Automeris despicata. In this publication Frederic places Automeris santaclariana in synonymy with Automeris despicata.

This species has been taken at elevations of 480-1000m.

This species is similar to Automeris duchartrei, but it 1) is smaller than that species, 2) has a homogenous grey-brown grown colour, and 3) has a smaller hindwing ocellus.

It is also similar to A. vergnei Bouvier, 1936, which has been elevated to full species status, but vergnei has a striking red-brown ground colour and a strikingly large hindwing oceelus.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The specimen type was taken on January 2, 2008. A specimen has also been taken in June in Peru. There are probably additional flight months.

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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Automeris santaclariana male, Pastaza, Ecuador,
on my home computer only.