DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris umbrosa lampei (wingspan: males: 57-65mm; females: 68-79) flies in
Uruguay: Canalones;
Paraguay: Paraguari and Guaira;
and southestern Brazil: Espirito Santo, Parana (CM), Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, (probably Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina (WO?)), Minas Gerais (LV).

I suspect it also flies in Argentina: Misiones and Corrientes.

The subspecies is named to honour Rudolf Lampe.

Automeris umbrosa lampei male, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
September 8, 2012, courtesy of Larry Valentine, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris umbrosa lampei male (verso), Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
September 8, 2012, courtesy of Larry Valentine. id by Bill Oehlke.

The median area of the forewing always has a wide suffusion of purlish-gray scales. In naranja, this same area is a very uniform mousey grey-brown, often with a dull olive-green cast. This helps to separate it from naranja where the two species are sympatric.

Based on the Ulf Drechsel and Leroy Simon images on this page, umbrosa lampei ground colour can vary from pinkish-brown to olive-grey-green. There may be seasonal variations or variations within a brood. It is also possible that more than one species is on display on this page.

Automeris umbrosa lampei male, Brazil,
courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in March-April and September in Brazil and in July-August and November in Paraguay, suggesting at least two broods.

Larval hosts are not reported.

Automeris umbrosa lampei female, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
April 4, 2010, courtesy of Larry Valentine

Automeris umbrosa lampei female, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
April 4, 2010, courtesy of Larry Valentine

Automeris umbrosa lampei female, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
April 4, 2010, courtesy of Larry Valentine

Females apparently come to lights quite readily as Larry Valentine also reports a female Automeris umbrosa lampei, on February 2, 2011, in Itanhandu, southeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. This confirms the likelihood of at least two annual broods in that area.

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 umbrosa lampei fifth instar, Brazil,
Courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

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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