Automeris zephyria
This page will be updated as things change...
Our experiences rearing Automeris zephyria. The origin of these individuals is south-central New Mexico, in the Lincoln National Forest. Automeris zephyria is naturally occurring throughout central mountain ranges of New Mexico, from the Santa Fe area south through the Sacramentos into the Guadalupe mountains of far west Texas. It's usual host plants are believed to be willows, but the locations we have collected these moths are dominated by an as-yet unidentified species of oak (Quercus).
A confirmed locality listed in "The Wild Silk Moths of North America" to find this species is High Rolls, New Mexico, which is about 70 miles from home. In the summer of 2001 I did some scouting of the area, and found a location that looked "right" for collecting, about 3 miles south of the small town. I always prefer to camp and be at least a little bit isolated while I'm collecting. I did a bit more research and talked to a few folks who had collected right in High Rolls, and confirmed the general flight time. (As a bonus, Automeris io neomexicana occurs sympatrically with zephyria.)
The first collecting trip I made was on 20 May 2002, and the first zephyria showed up at the MV light rig shortly after dark, approximately 2000. From that time until 2145, five males arrived at the light. One male was in good condition, and the other four were significantly worn. (See the Automeris io neomexicana page for an account of the rest of that night.)
The night of 03 June was a warmer night, and was the next opportunity I had to collect. As soon as the sky was fully dark, about 2030, the zephyria started arriving at the MV light. This night they arrived in more numbers, and kept coming until I turned the light off at about 0230. In all, I saw nearly 20 zephyria, many of which were in perfect condition. The highlight of the evening came at 2300, when I was almost asleep in my chair in front of the light rig. I opened my eyes to look at the sheet, and saw a noticeably larger Automeris fluttering up the sheet and over the top to the other side. Instantly I thought it was a female, and I jumped up to see where she went, but she was nowhere to be seen. I did a search of the area on that side of the MV rig, and ten minutes later I found what I assume was the same moth in a clump of weeds about 15 feet from the light! Needless to say, I was happy to have captured her, having hopes of obtaining ova to rear.
Two nights later, on the night of 05 June or the morning of 06 June, there were two groups of ova deposited in the paper bag I kept the moth in. One group of ten and the other of approximately 20.
Automeris zephyria ova. The larvae hatched on 21 June 02, 16 days after the eggs were deposited.
Over the time between being deposited and hatching, the ova did not change appearance significantly. A few of the ova failed to hatch, and collapsed within a week after the other larvae eclosed.
First instar larvae. All of the larvae ate part of the eggshell they hatched from, and within 24 hours started eating the Red Oak (Quercus rubra) leaves I put in their containers. They seem healthy and vigorous on this diet, and on 27 and 28 June they shed into their second instar.
Second instar larvae. They have changed color, and are much better armed with spines. Photo taken on 30 June 02.
Third instar larva. They have changed color again. Most of the larvae shed into third instar on 01 July. Surprisingly, they all shed again on 05 July, making the third instar very short. They have grown in size with each instar, but not as much as I would have guessed. I can't find any reference as to how many larval instars zephyria have, but I'm betting there's more than the "usual" 5. Another Automeris, A. randa, is known to go through 6 to 7 larval instars, and the ones that get to seventh instar are usually females.
Here's a small group of early fourth instar larvae. They're taking on a striped black and greenish appearance. These caterpillars are about one inch long. They still have a lot of growing to do. Photo taken 06 July 02.
All the caterpillars shed into their fifth instar on 13 July. This photo was taken on 14 July, and the larvae attained the colors and patterns they'll have until maturity. It's relatively common for Saturnid larvae to nearly double in size during their last instars. These should be quite impressive creatures by the end of their last instar.
Another view of of a group of fifth instar caterpillars, photo taken on 18 July 2002. The majority of the larvae shed into sixth instar on 21 July, after a 2 day "rest" period. As I stated previously, I had been anticipating there would be more than 5 instars.
Seventh instar.
By 08 August, some of the larvae had shed again, and are into their EIGHTH instar. That was definately unexpected. The appearance of the caterpillars hasn't changed, but they are a bit larger. Presumably the ones that have the "extra" instars are females, but it's a bit difficult to tell for sure. Some of these have grown to a very large size, nearly as large as the polyphemus larvae we reared earlier in the year! They're not quite as massive as the polyphemus were, but they're easily of equal length. They should be some large moths when they emerge next spring! Some have started spinning!
Rearing Notes
Notes: All larvae reared on cuttings of Red Oak (Quercus rubra). Cuttings were placed in small vases containing water with a small amount of "Miracle Grow" plant food.
Conceived, created, edited, and published by Hunter and Joel. Kelly is the Creative Consultant. 
Here are a couple of nice lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of nearly mature, sixth instar caterpillars. There are many very "impressive" larvae amongst lepidoptera, especially (in my opinion) among the Saturniidae, but these must rank very high on the list. As usual, pictures do not do the real thing justice. The almost fluorescent chartreuse, velvet black, and stark white lines make them outstanding. Add the formidable armature of their setae, and we have a very striking creature. The chestnut brown of their legs, prolegs, and head are an accent. These caterpillars are about 2 inches long now when at rest. Stretched out searching for food or whatever, they can extend to about 2-and-a-half inches or more.
I've moved them into two separate five-gallon buckets with net tops, containing 11 or 12 caterpillars in each. I don't want to overcrowd them, and they seem to be doing well. Apparently in nature, they will separate and feed alone in the last instars. They have plenty of room to move around if they want to in the buckets, but they always seem to stay together in a bunch. Photos taken 26 July 2002.
From 28 July to 01 August, all the zephyria larvae shed into their seventh instar. Essentially they are identical in appearance to the sixth instar, but they are larger (of course.) This should definately be the last instar. I've not heard of any species having more than seven. These are some formidable creatures. Their defensive armament is intimidating, and works well. Yesterday as I was changing out their food, I accidentally brushed the back of my index finger against one. It was a painful experience, more so than getting "stung" by the neomexicana. Wherever the setae contacted my skin, there was a white-centered red welt, almost like a wasp sting. The pain lasted about 10 minutes, and the welts didn't disappear for over an hour.
I'm hoping that within a week they'll show signs of wanting to spin cocoons. Photos taken 03 August 2002.
The first caterpillars to make their cocoons started on 12 August. So far, on 16 August, about 9 have spun their cocoons. Most made them among the leaves on their food cuttings, while a few decided to climb down and spin among leaf litter on the ground. The ones that stayed up in the trees did not make any effort to secure their cocoons to the branches, so in nature, they would fall to the ground when the leaves fall in autumn. The picture above is of one that used a red oak leaf on the tree to wrap it's cocoon in. The cocoon below was spun on the ground using emory oak leaves to cover up in. Photos taken 16 August 2002.
This is an eighth instar caterpillar photographed on 23 August 2002, over two months after hatching, and reared as well as possible. It is just over 80mm long when at rest, like it is here. As of this date, there are 6 caterpillars left, the rest having spun their cocoons. I wasn't aware that any Saturnid would go through eight instars, but here they are. I'm guessing that these which have not pupated are females. They could use the extra time to store more calories for ova production as adults. There could be an argument made on both sides though, as it's the males that will burn up more calories as adults because they'll fly more, seeking out the females. Don't know.
First adult moth (a male) eclosed the afternoon of 19 September! Above the moth is at rest on a branch kept in the cocoon enclosure.
Same moth with wings outstretched showing his hindwing patterns and eyespots. While somewhat more subdued in coloration than the A. io neomexicana, this species is striking in it's own way. I especially like the "lightning bolt" white markings in the eyespots. The white flash-marks in the forewings are very similar to those of Automeris cecrops pamina, a closely related moth that lives further to the west, in mountain ranges from southwestern New Mexico through southern Arizona. This male is almost 20% larger than any of the wild males we collected earlier in the year. If the females from this brood are comparable in size, they should be huge!
This female eclosed on the afternoon (1400) of 25 April 03. She's a very impressive moth! Moths of this brood have exhibited several color "phases" - some individuals have an olive hue, some reddish or the "rose" phase we saw in wild males last year, and some predominately a brownish color.
© July - September 2002. All content © Hunter and Joel.