DISTRIBUTION:

In the U.S. Automeris zephyria (wingspan: males: 59-75mm; females: 81-98mm) flies at higher elevations from central New Mexico eastward into western Texas.

Automeris zephyria male, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Automeris zephyria male, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Automeris zephyria male, courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

Automeris zephyria male, courtesy/copyright Horst Kach.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Willow is the favorite foodplant and moths are on the wing from mid May until mid July.

Andrew L. Hollander reports a dead specimen found May 27, 2010, in Edgewood, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.

Automeris zephyria female, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults emerge in the late morning and females scent that night. Males are smaller but exhibit the same colour pattern.

Females begin calling shortly after 10:00 pm and matings occur from then until 1:00 am. Some pairings are very brief, but often the couple will remain together until dawn.

Automeris zephyria (female), New Mexico, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in rings and early instar larvae are gregarious. Once the fourth instar is reached, larvae begin to feed alone. Flimsy cocoons are spun among ground debris in August and September.

Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon

Automeris zephyria third instars on oak, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Automeris zephyria fifth instar, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Automeris zephyria fifth instar, New Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Automeris zephyria larva, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

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.

Cercis canadensis Cercocarpus betuloides....... Prunus serotina Prunus virginiana Pyrus malus Quercus alba Quercus gambelii Quercus nigra Quercus oblongifolia Quercus petraea Quercus phellos Quercus robur Quercus rubra Salix babylonica Tilia

Redbud Birchleaf cercocarpus Wild blackcherry Chokecherry Apple White oak Gambel oak Water oak Mexican blue oak Durmast oak Willow oak English oak Northern red oak Weeping willow Lime/Linden

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