Zephyr eyed silkmoth
Automeris zephyria Grote, 1882
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: 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.
Wing Span: 3 1/8 - 4 1/8 inches (8 - 10.4 cm).
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.
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.
NCGR: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 32 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 14, 2022
Submitted by: texasdawn
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 18, 2022
Observation date: Sep 07, 2022
Submitted by: GarnetsNevada
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 18, 2022
Observation date: Aug 16, 2013
Submitted by: Leslieh1206
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 07, 2021
Observation date: Aug 17, 2017
Submitted by: hjelmn
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 07, 2021
Observation date: Sep 01, 2014
Submitted by: Fsb
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 06, 2021
Observation date: Aug 23, 2021
Submitted by: Magicianless
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 24, 2021
Observation date: Sep 06, 2020
Submitted by: Zymophile
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 16, 2020
Observation date: Sep 20, 2020
Submitted by: GretchenXIII
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 23, 2020
Observation date: Oct 20, 2019
Submitted by: jft48
Region: Torrance County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 24, 2020
Observation date: Jun 28, 2016
Submitted by: Jay Chapman
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: apan123
Verified date: Aug 03, 2016
Observation date: Oct 17, 2015
Submitted by: Ladieman55
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Nov 09, 2015
Observation date: Jun 17, 2015
Submitted by: Graham Monroe
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Sep 15, 2015
Observation date: Jun 17, 2014
Submitted by: J. Pascal
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: Jul 05, 2014
Submitted by: JudyO
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: May 06, 2015
Observation date: Sep 18, 2014
Submitted by: Derodgers
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 24, 2014
Observation date: Sep 08, 2013
Submitted by: treefireguy
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 30, 2013
Observation date: Sep 22, 2013
Submitted by: AshleMorris
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Oct 17, 2013
Observation date: Aug 25, 2012
Submitted by: petersnm
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 18, 2013
Observation date: Aug 16, 2011
Submitted by: Doddee
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: Ryan St Laurent
Verified date: Oct 10, 2012
Observation date: Jul 01, 2011
Submitted by: jgm622
Region: San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Jul 02, 2012
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Sep 11, 2009
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jay Reedy and Jennis Pruett)
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Oct 16, 2009
Observation date: Jun 26, 2009
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Katie C. Helfert)
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Aug 10, 2009
Observation date: Aug 27, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kieran Lindsey)
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Sep 05, 2006
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