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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
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 verified sightings
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jul 27, 1991
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (James P. Tuttle)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 28, 2009
Observation date: Jul 23, 1998
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (James P. Tuttle)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 28, 2009
Observation date: Jul 24, 1999
Submitted by: hgbyrne (Bill Mooney & Howard Byrne)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 28, 2009
Observation date: Aug 01, 1991
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (James P. Tuttle)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (The Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary)
Verified date: Jan 28, 2009
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004