Patagonia eyed silkmoth Automeris patagoniensis Lemaire, Smith, & Wolfe, 1992

Family: Saturniidae

Subfamily: Hemileucinae

Identification: Females are larger than males. Upperside is orange to brownish orange, with an occasional yellow male; female forewing is darker than hindwing. Forewing of both sexes has faint postmedian lines; hindwing has a small white, gray, and black eyespot.

Wing Span: 2 1/4 - 2 3/4 inches (5.8 - 7 cm).

Life History: Young caterpillars feed in groups and older caterpillars feed alone. Cocoons are spun at the base of the host plant and have a slit through which the adult can emerge.

Flight: One brood from July-August.

Caterpillar Hosts: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and bluegrass (Poa species).

Adult Food: Adults do not feed.

Habitat: Grassy areas in oak woodlands at elevations of 4400-5100 feet.

Range: The Huachuca and Patagonia mountains of southern Arizona.

Conservation: All populations should be monitored and conserved.

NCGR: G2 - Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences), or because of other factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. (Endangered throughout its range).

Management Needs: None reported.

Comments: NULL

Thank you!

We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America freely available. We want to express our gratitude to all who showed their support by making a contribution this year. You can donate to support this project at any time.