DISTRIBUTION:

Gamelia sanmartiniana (wingspan: males: 52mm; females: // forewing length: males: 22-29mm; females: ?? ) flies in
Peru: San Martin: Rioja; Mina de Sol; at elevations of 950-1800m.

In the male, the forewing pm line is slightly pre-apical and slightly concave, reacing the inner margin about 1/4 the distance from the anal angle. The forewing apex is sharp but not overly produced. The convex fw outer margin and the apically curved costa give the forewing a somewhat rounded appearance.

Ground colour is a fairly uniform brown, darker in the basal area and in a broad band inside the pm line. The fw ocellus is outlined in black with a dull grey-brown iris and a dark striga, running perpendicular to the line of the costa, and almost bisecting the ocellus.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January, March, April, June, July, and October, November, December. There are probably additional flight months.

Gamelia sanmartiniana 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.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae resemble Automeris species with their numerous urticating body spines. Larvae are probably gregarious, at least in the early instars.

The species name, sanmartiniana, is indicative of specimen types from Mina de Sol and Rioja, San Martin, Peru.

Larval Food Plants

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.

Psidium guajava .......

Common guava

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