DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris schwartzi (wingspan: males: 67-68(TS)-76-85mm; females: 96mm) flies in
Colombia: Caqueta and probably Amazonas and Putamayo;
Peru: Loreto; and
Ecuador: Orellana and Napo.

The female is dull gray-brown, lacking the dark eyespot and brighter colours surrounding it.

Automeris schwartzi male, Peru, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

This species has been taken at elevations between 150m and 1000m.

Automeris schwartzi male, Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
March 3-4, 2009, courtesy of Steve Ife.

The forewing is slightly elongate and subtriangular. The basal and subterminal areas are darker than the median and terminal areas. The am line is oblique to convex. The cell mark is relatively small, diffuse grey with a diffuse whitish spot.

Automeris schwartzi male, Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

The hindwing eyespot tends to be small and slightly oval, with a white streaked and sometimes heavily white-suffused pupil. There is a single smooth, black median band followed by a much broader brown band, matching the colour of the basal and subterminal areas of the forewing. The hindwing outer margin matches the colour of the median and marginal areas of the forewing.

Automeris schwartzi female, Rio Corrientes, Loreto, Peru,
courtesy of Luigi Racheli.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in July and October (Colombia) April-May and September-October (Ecuador); November-December (Peru).

Larval hosts are unknown.

Automeris schwartzi male, Rio Landayacu, Pastaza, Ecuador,
April 5, 2008, courtesy/copyright of Horst Kach.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Automeris schwartzi male (68mm), Rio Tiputini, Orellana, Ecuador,
October, 1, 2000, 300m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard; * note absence of dark abdominal rings.

Automeris schwartzi male (67mm), Rio Tiputini, Orellana, Ecuador,
September, 2000, 300m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard; * note presence of dark abdominal rings

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Typical of the genus, eggs are laid in large groups, spiny larvae are gregarious, and cocoons are often spun up after larvae leave the host plant.

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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