DISTRIBUTION:

Automeris vergnei (wingspan: males: mm; females: mm) flies in
Peru: Junin; and
probably eastern Ecuador.

This moth has been removed from synonymity with duchartrei by Brechlin & Meister, 2011.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in ??

Automeris vergnei male, Junin, Peru,
on my home computer only.

Automeris vergnei female, 90mm, Puerto Misahualli, Napo, Ecuador,
October 2003, 400m, courtesy of Terry Stoddard, very tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

As of this writing, February 7, 2013, I have no verified image of an Automeris vergnei female for comparison with the female from Puerto Misahualli, directly above. Thus my very tentative id is based on sahpe of forewing lines and size of hindwing ocellus. There are several other possibilities.

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.

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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