DISTRIBUTION:

Gamelia kaechi (wingspan: males: ; females: // forewing length: males: 30-35mm; females: 40-44mm) flies in
eastern Ecuador: Napo: Cosanga; Morona-Santiago at elevations of 2150-2650m.

This species is quite similar to Gamelia neidhoeferi from Bolivia, and it is possible that true neidhoeferi is limited in its range to Bolivia.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January-February, April-May-June-July-August-September-October-November-December. There are possibly additional flight months. Gamelia kaechi larvae possibly feed on common guava (Psidium guajava) or related plants. Horst Kaech has reared them on blackberry.

Gamelia pyrrhomelas (more likely G. kaechi) female, eastern Ecuador, courtesy of Horst kach

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) male, Ecuador, courtesy/copyright Leroy Simon.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Gamelia neidhoeferi larvae probably feed on Common guava (Psidium guajava). Horst Kach has reared them on blackberry in Ecuador.

Horst Kach reports a February flight in eastern Ecuador at 2200m.

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) female, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) female ex ovo, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females, much larger than males, 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.

Gamelia neidhoeferi?? (probably kaechi) male, Wildsumaco Lodge, Napo, Ecuador,
April 7, 2011, 1300m, courtesy of Tony Hoare, via Peter Bruce-Jones,
tentative id as kaechi and slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

I am not sure of the identification of the Tony Hoare image (above) via Peter Bruce-Jones. By location it should be Gamelia neidhoeferi, but the forewing outer margin is not as convex as I would like it to be. Perhaps that is just the angulation of the wing in the camera shot. There may be some upcoming additions to the Gamelia genus list that have not been published yet??

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) first instars on Cassia,
November 25, 2006, October, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) second-third instars on Fagus sylvatica,
June 15, 2007, courtesy of Uwe Kauz.

Gamelia neidhoeferi (more likely kaechi) third instar on Fagus sylvatica,
June 15, 2007, courtesy of Uwe Kauz.

Larvae are gregarious in the early instars. First instar larvae are yellow with orangey-brown heads. Larvae resemble Automeris species with their numerous urticating body spines and green colour. Larvae are gregarious. Horst Kach reports them from Cosanga in eastern Ecuador, 2200m, February. He rears them on blackberry.

In this lateral view, the unusual colouration pattern of the legs is quite clear. Spines can probably give a nasty sting. Gamelia kaechi fifth instar larval images courtesy of Horst Kach.

The species name, kaechi, is honorific for collector Horst Kaech.

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

Morus nigra (HK) Psidium guajava .......

Blackberry Common guava

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Gamelia kaechi HT male, Cosanga, Napo, Ecuador,
July 2007, 2150m, on my home computer only.