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Species Detail
Zephyr eyed silkmoth
Automeris zephyria Grote, 1882
Attributes of Automeris zephyriaFamily: Wild Silk Moths (Saturniidae) Subfamily: Buck and Io Moths (Hemileucinae) Identification: Females are larger than males. Upperside of forewing is dark brown to grayish or reddish brown with a distinct white line running diagonally from the wing tip to the inner margin. Hindwing has a large black eyespot in an orange patch. Life history: Females lay eggs in clusters on the host plant. Young caterpillars feed in groups while older caterpillars are solitary feeders. In late August and September, fully-grown caterpillars spin cocoons in plant litter in which they pupate and overwinter. Flight: One brood from May-July. Wing span: 3 1/8 - 4 1/8 inches (8 - 10.4 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Willows (Salix) and probably others. Adult food: Adults do not feed. Habitat: Pinyon-juniper woodland and conifer forest above 4800 feet elevation. Range: Mountains of central New Mexico south into the Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas. Conservation: Populations should be inventoried to determine conservation status. NatureServe Global Status: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information. Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Automeris zephyria
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