DISTRIBUTION:

The Automeris zozine moth (wingspan: males: 62-78mm-82mm (RL); females: 74-91mm) flies in
Mexico: Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Quintana Roo;
Guatemala: Huehuetenango, Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Zacapa, Santa Rosa (Izabal (JM));
Belize: Corozol, Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo;
Honduras: Atlantida (RL), Olancho (CL) and Comayagua and Yoro (RC); and
Nicaragua: Nueva Segovia, Esteli, Jinotega, Matagalpa, Managua.

It is usually found in habitats with elevations between sea level and 1800m.

Automeris zozine male, Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize, 67mm, courtesy of Art Gilbert and Norm Smith.

Automeris zozine male, La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras,
73mm, May 2, 2008, 120m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris zozine male, La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras,
75mm, May 2, 2008, 120m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

The fw has a darker basal area compared to a lighter brown median area and a much lighter postmedian area, especially near the anal angle. A distinct brown oblique pm line runs from the apex to the midpoint of the inner angle. The pm line is outwardly lined with pale violet. The outer margin is straight, darker near the apex. The am line is angulate, the cell is darker than its surroundings with a diffuse darker triangular patch running from the costa to the pm line.

Automeris zozine, faded male, La Muralla National Park, Olancho, Honduras,
75mm, September 16, 1995, 1420m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris zozine, faded male, La Muralla National Park, Olancho, Honduras,
81mm, September 16, 1995, 1420m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

Automeris zozine, faded male, La Muralla National Park, Olancho, Honduras,
82mm, September 16, 1995, 1420m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

The hindwing has a pinkish basal area with long hairs running along the inner margin. The upper margin is pale brown and the rest of the median area surrounding the eyespot is an orangey-yellow. The pm line is thick and black, outwardly lined with a thin band of pale violet, a darker, thicker band of reddish brown, a thick band of pale violet and a thin band of brown.

The abdomen is dorsally black, ringed with grey or brown.

Automeris zozine female, Las Cuevas, Cayo, Belize, 83mm, courtesy of Art Gilbert and Norm Smith.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Adults are on the wing in January, April-May-June-July-August-September-October. Larvae feed on Quercus robur, Rhus laurina and Robinia pseudoacacia. Werner Spiess reports success on Brombeere or Blackberry, (Rubus sectio Rubus).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females (above) extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen. Males use highly developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone to locate the females.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in large clusters and larvae are highly gregarious.

Urticating spines offer the Automeris zozine larvae much protection.

Automeris zozine fifth instar, Mexico, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

Visit Automeris zozine male, female and final instar, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter.

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.

Quercus robur Rhus laurina Robinia pseudoacacia ...... Rubus sectio Rubus (WS)

English oak Laurel sumac Black locust/False acacia Brombeere/Blackberry

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