DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris uniorientalis (wingspan: males: 56mm; females: 70mm // forewing length: males 25-28mm; females: 33-37mm) flies, as a common species, in
Ecuador: Napo: Cosanga: eastern cordillera; Misahualli; PN Sumaco; Morona Santiago: Plan de Milagro to Gualaceo; Zamora-Chinchipe; at elevations around 450-2375m.

It has also been recorded in
Peru: Cajamarca: Ciudad de San Ignacio.

This moth has a stronger, darker orange colouration to the forewing, which has a convex outer margin, when compared to the lighter orange unifasciatus from western Ecuador.

Automeris unifasciatus has been removed from synonymity with A. grammodes.

Visit Automeris grammodes Group Comparison Plate to see thumbnails of available species from the Automeris grammodes Group, with notes to hopefully help determine species.

Automeris uniorientalis male, Wild Sumaco, Napo, Ecuador,
January 18, 2012, courtesy of Pia Oberg, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris uniorientalis male, Wild Sumaco, Napo, Ecuador,
January 15, 2012, courtesy of Pia Oberg, id by Bill Oehlke.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October, November. There are probably additional flight months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

Automeris uniorientalis AT female, 68mm, eastern cordillera, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
November 2, 2008, 2150m, on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae probably pupate in a very flimsy cocoon spun amongst leaf litter.

The species name, uniorientalis, is indicative of a specimen type locale in eastern Ecuador, and a close resemblance to A. unifasciatus, which has been removed from synonymity with A. grammodes.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticiated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Chusquea scandens Eugena Malosma (=Rhus) laurina ........ Myrcia Protium heptaphyllum

Bamboo Eugena Laurel Sumac Myrcia Incense Tree

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