DISTRIBUTION:

The Gamelia pyrrhomelas moth (wingspan: males: 61-75mm; females: 72mm) flies in
western Colombia Valle del Cauca, Cundinamarca and Nariono; and
western Ecuador: Imbabura and Pichincha; in cloud forest at elevations of 1600-2800m and in
Venezuela (one rare recording).

The moth can only be distinguished from the eastern species, Gamelia neidhoeferi, by examination of genitalia.

The specimen to the right, courtesy of Mark Gurney, is from the Tandayapa Bird Lodge. The Lodge is located in northwestern Ecuador near Quito. I think the specimen at the top of the page, due to lower elevation and very dark forewing ground colour, may actually be Gamelia denhezi. The very dark colouration of the image (below) from Rodolphe Rougerie also suggests G. denhezi.

Gamelia pyrrhomelas, Ecuador, courtesy of Rodolphe Rougerie.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species probably broods continuously as there are flight records in all months except November.

Gamelia pyrrhomelas larvae probably feed on Common guava (Psidium guajava).

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae resemble Automeris species with their numberous urticating body spines. Larvae are gregarious.

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.

Psidium guajava....

Common guava

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

I do not know the origin of the species name "pyrrhomelas".

The source of the genus name "Gamelia" is probably from the Greek where Gamelia is another name for Hera or Juno, the wife of Zeus.

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Gamelia pyrrhomelas male, Imbabura, Ecuador,
on my home computer only.

Gamelia pyrrhomelas male, Imbabura, Ecuador,
on my home computer only.