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Species Automeris io - Io Moth - Hodges#7746
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Bombycoidea (Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths)
Family Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
Subfamily Hemileucinae (Buck and Io Moths)
Tribe Hemileucini
Genus Automeris
Species io (Io Moth - Hodges#7746)
Other Common Names Peacock Moth Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Automeris io (Fabricius, 1775)
Several subspecies have been described but few remain distinct under current classifications.
Phylogenetic sequence #225500 Numbers Seven Automeris species are found in America north of Mexico. Size Caterpillars may grow to 7cm (2)Identification White filled, black and blue eyespots are hindwing are distinctive. Overall color varies from reddish to yellowish. Males (below left) are yellower, females (below right) redder.
Caterpillars gregarious in early instars, starting out orange then maturing to pale blue-green with clusters of spines and a red line along each side with white underneath.:
Range Much of the eastern two-thirds of North America.
Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates. Season This species is univoltine on Block Island, RI, flying in June and July. (3)Food Numerous plants and trees, including birches, clover, corn, elms, maples, oaks, willows, roses, cotton, hibiscus, azaleas, palms, and even some grasses ( Featured Creatures) (1)Life Cycle Larva are gregarious early on, but go it alone as they mature. They leave the hostplant to form a papery cocoon, usually in leaf litter. There may be up to four generations in the south, but usually just one in the north. ( Featured Creatures)
Remarks Caution, larva may "sting" if handled. The larger the caterpillar the more intense the stinging sensation caused by the urticating spines. Print References Covell, page 49, plates 1 (#12), 2 (#5), 10 (#2,#4) (1)
Peterson's First Guides, Caterpillars, page 120 (2)
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects & Spiders, photos 27, 566, page 771 (4)
Manley, T.R. 1993. Diapause, voltinism, and foodplants of Automeris io (Saturniidae) in the southeastern United States. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 47(4): 303-321Internet References Detailed info from Featured Creatures at the University of Florida
Photos, some live, some pinned, both sexes, and a larval image at Georgia Lepidoptera
Live photos, both sexes, at Maryland Moths
Caterpillar account from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
Works Cited | 1. | Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths
Charles V. Covell. 1984. Houghton Mifflin Company. | |
| 2. | Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America
Amy Bartlett Wright. 1998. Houghton Mifflin Company. |  |
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