DISTRIBUTION:

Pseudautomeris rudloffi (wingspan: males: 84mm; females: 114mm // forewing length: males: 44mm; females: 59mm) flies in
Costa Rica: Heredia; 500m (HT); and
Ecuador: Esmeraldas; and
probably in western Colombia.

Pseudautomeris irene irene* male, Cerro Chucanti, Darien, Panama,
August 2012, courtesy of Albert Thurman.

* The Pseudautomeris irene irene specimen depicted in the 2010 Entomo-Satsphingia Journal shows a much less squarish forewing anal angle than depicted in the specimen, above, from Panama. The ESs image is much closer to those specimens of irene in the digital image provided by Bernhard Wenczel on the irene file page. I also note that the Albert Thurman image, in addition to having a very squarish forewing anal angle, also has a quite concave forewing pm line. I think the Panamanian specimen might be an undescribed irene subspecies? It could also represent a slightly more southerly range for recently described Pseudautomeris rudloffi but even that species dot not have such a squarish anal angle?? The hindwing ocellus is more harmonious with rudloffi than with the smaller ocelli associated with irene irene specimens??? (Bill Oehlke)

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in May. There may also be flights in other months.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use their more highly developed antennae to seek out females who release an airbourne pheromone into the night sky.

Automeris rudloffi female, 114mm, Esmeraldas, Ecuador,
on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters of 6-40+ on hostplant twigs. Larvae have urticating spines and are gregarious, especially in the early instars.

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.

.......

The species name is honourific for Jan-Peter Rudloff.

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