Automeris dagmarae
Distribution:
Central America, from Guatemala and Belize, south to Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador
Wingspan:
a large species, with a wingspan up to 14 cm
Season:
more or less continuously when kept warm
Food plants:
polyphage on Rosaceae (Rubus, Prunus, Rosa, Crataegus, ...), Fagaceae (Quercus, Fagus, ...), Betulaceae (Betula, Alnus, Carpinus, ...), Salix, Populus and probably many more
Rearing:
Very easy, suitable for children. Keep in well ventilated plastic containers or netted cages when older. Watch out for condensation when kept in plastic containers and do not give wet leaves. Fast growing and ready to pupate in approximately seven weeks . A living room temperature is enough, though higher temperatures make them grow a little bit faster. The pupal stage is only a couple of weeks when kept warm.
Difficulties:
none