Defensive-display

Guides

• Automeris cecrops pamina

  Automeris cecrops pamina is a subspecies of giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae, occurring in southwestern North America and Middle America. As a member of the Automeris genus, adults possess distinctive eyespots on the hindwings used for predator defense. The caterpillars bear urticating spines capable of delivering a painful sting. This subspecies represents the western portion of the broader Automeris cecrops species complex.

  Saturniidaegiant-silk-mothurticating-spineseyespotsdefensive-displaysingle-broodunivoltine

• Automeris louisiana

  Louisiana eyed silkmoth

  Automeris louisiana, the Louisiana eyed silkmoth, is a species of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. It is native to North America and was described by Ferguson and Brou in 1981. Like other members of the genus Automeris, adults are characterized by prominent eyespots on the hindwings used for predator deterrence. The species has been subject to a petition for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, with a status review initiated in 2011.

  SaturniidaeHemileucinaeeyespot-mothdefensive-displayurticating-spinesconservation-concernGulf-Coast-endemic