DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris tatiae (forewing length: males: 55-58mm; females: 62mm) flies in
Peru: Pasco, at elevations of 2180m to 2412m.
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa: La Suiza, collected by B. Wenczel, 2002-06-05;
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa: La Suiza, collected by B. Wenczel, 2004-07-15;
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa: La Suiza, collected by B. Wenczel, 2003-04-25;
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa: La Suiza, collected by B. Wenczel, 2002-12-01;
Peru: Pasco: Oxapampa, La Suiza, collected by H. Meyer, 2004-07-18.

Determining Automeris species is becoming more and more difficult as there are a considerable number of very similar species, even some that are sympatric.

As of the end of 2011 there are now twelve Automeris species in the Egeus Group. I am hoping that the following keys on the Egeus Group Comparison Chart will help me and others with determinations. Location, wingspan, elevation can all be very helpful in making more accurate determinations. In some cases DNA barcoding analysis might be required to reach an accurate identification.

Automeris tatiae pair, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken by Bernhard Wenczel and Jose Boettger in March, June-July, and November-December.

Larvae have been successfully reared on Fagus silvatica.

Automeris tatiae female courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

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.

Automeris tatiae sixth instar, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Automeris tatiae seventh instar, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

Larval Food Plants

Cocoons consist of a few strands of silk surrounding the pupae. Caterpillars usually pupate within dense moss or other ground litter.

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae and/or from personal correspondence. 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.

Fagus sylvatica .......

European Beech

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Return to Automeris Genus

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I am not aware of the source for Automeris, but tatiae is honourific for Tatia Wenczel-Montrone, the former wife of Bernhard Wenczel. Tatia is honoured for "her help and support during expeditions in Venezuela and rearing efforts in Switzerland."