DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris umbrosa moth (wingspan: males: 51-60mm; females: 55-71mm) flies in Argentina: Salta, Tucuman, at low altitude (340 - 1100 m) in Andean forests and in Bolivia: Chuquisaca (up to 2000 m).

This species is smaller than the very similar Automeris naranja. A. umbrosa also has more rusty-yellow hair-like scales on the upper abdomen, a wide suffusion of light gray scales in the forewing median area, and a reduced orange periocellar area on the hindwing.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in February and December in Bolivia, and in April and October in Argentina.

Larvae feed on Ligustrum, Ligustrum ovalifolium, Prunus laurocerasus, Quercus and Salix.

Automeris umbrosa female, Salta Province, Argentina, courtesy of Fernando Penco.

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 larva, copyright protected, Kirby Wolfe.

Larvae of Automeris umbrosa and Automeris naranja are very similar.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae and/or on various internet sites or from Lemaire's Hemileucinae 2002. 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.

Ligustrum Ligustrum ovalifolium Phoebe porphyria Phyllostylon rhamnoides Prunus laurocerasus........ Quercus Salix Stenolobium stans Tipuana speciosa

Privet Privet 'laurel de la falda' Cuta Kirschlorbeer Oak Willow Yellow Bells, Yellow Elder, Yellow Trumpet Flowers pride of Bolivia, racehorse tree, rosewood, tipu tree, yellow jacaranda

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