Automeris stacieae
Lemaire & Wolfe, 1993

Automeris stacieae male, Mexico, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Hemileucinae, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Tribe: Hemileucini, Grote & Robinson, 1866 Genus: Automeris, Hubner, [1819]

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris stacieae moth (wingspan: males: 62-72mm; females: 78mm) flies in
western Mexico: Gerrero and Oaxaca, in montane forests at elevations of 900-1350m- 2300m (VS).

Automeris stacieae male, Oaxaca, Mexico,
2300m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in May-June.

Natural larval hosts are unknown.

Automeris stacieae female, Mexico, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

Automeris stacieae female, Oaxaca, Mexico,
2300m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.

Urticating spines offer the Automeris stacieae larvae much protection.

Automeris stacieae fifth instar, Mexico, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

Automeris stacieae seventh instar, Oaxaca, Mexico,
2300m, courtesy of Viktor Suter

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.

Robinia.....

Locust

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