DISTRIBUTION:

the Automeris tristis moth (wingspan: males: 52-60mm; females: 69-77mm) flies in
southeastern Brazil: Rio de Janeiro; Parana (CM); Sao Paulo; Santa Catarina, at elevations between 160 and 850m.

Lemaire groups moresca, themis, tristis and phrynon as having abdomens that are usually orange-ringed (light or dark), matching the basal area of the hindwings. The forewing postmedial line is preapical. The hw eyespot is usually ringed with yellow.

Themis, a small species, has a relatively broad yellow ring around the hindwing eyespot; tristis has a very dark basal median area (male) on the hindwing with the female being uniformly dark; phrynon has a distinct wing shape and pattern.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in January-February, June, August and October, suggesting continuous brooding. Larval hosts are unknown.

Automeris tristis female, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

Automeris tristis courtesy of Bernard Wenczel.

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 tristis fifth instar, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

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.

Bamboo .......

Bamboo

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