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Species Detail

Cecrops eyed silkmoth

Automeris cecrops (Boisduval, 1875)

JPG -- species photo

Attributes of Automeris cecrops


Family: Wild Silk Moths (Saturniidae)

Subfamily: Buck and Io Moths (Hemileucinae)

Identification: Upperside of forewing ranges from beige to pink and has a thin yellow line running diagonally from the tip to the inner margin. Large black eyespot on hindwing is surrounded by an orange patch.

Life history: Eggs are laid in groups of 30-40 on the host plant. Young caterpillars feed together while older caterpillars are solitary. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in cocoons spun in plant litter on the ground.

Flight: One brood from May-August.

Wing span: 3 1/8 - 4 3/16 inches (8 - 10.6 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Fendler ceanothus (Ceanothus fendleri), catclaw mimosa (Mimosa biuncifera), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus parvifolius), and oaks (Quercus).

Adult food: Adults do not feed.

Habitat: Oak woodland, shrubland, and thorn scrub.

Range: Mountain ranges from central Arizona to southwestern New Mexico, and south into Mexico.

Conservation: Not usually required.

NatureServe Global Status: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.

Management needs: None reported.

Documented Records for Automeris cecrops



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