DISTRIBUTION:

The Gamelia septentrionalis moth (wingspan: males: 51-55mm; females: 54-58mm) flies in
Costa Rica: Heredia, Cartago, Limon (CL), Alajuela, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, San Jose; and
Nicaragua: Zelaya, Rio San Juan;
Guatemala: (Izabal (JM)) and
Honduras: Cortes, Atlantida (RL), Colon and Gracias a Dios (maybe Yoro and Olancho) at elevations from 10m to 1400m.

Gamelia septentrionalis dark male, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Gamelia musta/septentrionalis male, Tuis, Cartago, Costa Rica,
724m, April 15, 2011, courtesy of Gail Hampshire,
digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Gamelia musta/septentrionalis male, Tuis, Cartago, Costa Rica,
724m, April 15, 2011, courtesy of Gail Hampshire,
digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

This species is very similar to many other Gamelia species, having both dark and light colour forms. On the hindwing underside, the discal spot has a larger red center. The corresponding spot on the dorsal side is reddish brown or yellowish and is ringed with black and light grey.

Gamelia septentrionalis light male,
(more likely abasia, rudloffi or something undescribed, id by Bill Oehlke),
Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, 0-500m, May 4, 2008, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been recorded in February-March, May-June-July-August-September, November, suggesting multiple broods.

Gamelia septentrionalis larvae feed on Annonaceae: Guatteria diospyroides ; Clethraceae: Clethra unnata; Leguminosaea: Dipteryx panamensis, Inga sp., Senna fruticosa and Urticaceae: Miriocarpa longipes.

Gamelia septentrionalis female, Costa Rica, courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Gamelia septentrionalis, La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras,
54mm, December 21, 2008, 125m, courtesy of Robert Lehman, id by Bill Oehlke.

Gamelia septentrionalis female, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females (above) 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 numberous urticating body spines. Larvae are gregarious.

Spines can give a nasty sting. Pupation lasts 21-24 days.

Gamelia septentrionalis fifth instar, Cortes, Honduras,
courtesy/copyright Eduardo Marabuto, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae and/or on various internet sites. 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.

Clethra unnata Dipteryx panamensis Guatteria diospyroides...... Inga Miriocarpa longipes Senna fruticosa

Clethra unnata Dipteryx panamensis Guatteria diospyroides Inga Miriocarpa longipes Senna fruticosa

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