DISTRIBUTION:

Gamelia neidhoeferi (wingspan: males: 47mm; females: ) flies in low to medium andean forests (400 - 2200 m) in
Ecuador: Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Azuay, Zamora Chinchipe, Napo, Morona-Santiago and probably Pastaza;
and Andean regions from Colombia: Tolima and Cundinamarca; and
Peru: Amazonas, San Martin, Junin, Cusco, Puno; to
Bolivia: Cochabamba (specimen type) and probably La Paz (WO?).

Gamelia neidhoeferi (possibly G. neidcuscoensis) male, La Paz, Bolivia,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

Gamelia neidhoeferi male, 47mm, La Paz, Bolivia,
on my home computer only.

G. neidhoeferi may be limited to Bolivia, being replaced by new species names for the specimens from Ecuador and Peru. I am pretty sure the specimens on this page courtesy of Horst Kaech are now determined to be Gamelia kaechi. The specimen from Wild Sumaco Lodge, to me, does not seem to be a really good match for anything described up to this date, but kaechi would be my first guess, November 3, 2013. Bill Oehlke

The Thibaud Decaens image directly above seems a better match for G. neidcuscoensis, based on larger hindwing oceullus and straighter hindwing outer margin which seems less rounded at both the apex and anal angle as compared to same areas on G. neidhoeferi.

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 (more likely kaechi) pair, Ecuador, courtesy of Horst Kach.

Gamelia neidhoeferi?? male, Wildsumaco Lodga, Napo, Ecuador,
April 7, 2011, 1300m, courtesy of Tony Hoare, via Peter Bruce-Jones,
tentative id 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 neidhoeferi fifth instar larval images courtesy of Horst Kach.

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.

Cassia Fagus sylvatica Psidium guajava.... Rubus

Cassia European Beech Common guava Blackberry

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