Holotype. Colombia • ♂ (Fig. 1A, E); Boyacá department, near Quipama, Vereda Caviche; 5.575°N, 74.2595°W; elevation: 1500 m; 1–3 Dec. 2002; at MV light; DB and G. Lecourt leg.; BOLD SampleID: BC-Dec0551; Deposited in IAvH.

Figure 1. 

Specimens of the new species of Automeris spp. A dorsal view of A. mineros sp. nov., holotype ♂ B dorsal view of A. mineros sp. nov., paratype (allotype) ♀ C dorsal view of A. belemensis sp. nov., holotype ♂ D dorsal view of A. llaneros sp. nov., holotype ♂ E ventral view of A. mineros sp. nov., holotype ♂ F Ventral view of A. mineros sp. nov., paratype (allotype) ♀ G ventral view of A. belemensis sp. nov., holotype ♂ H ventral view of A. llaneros sp. nov., holotype ♂. Scale bars: 1 cm.

Paratypes (19 ♂♂ and 6 ♀♀). Colombia • 15 ♂♂ and 5 ♀♀, all same data as holotype; all specimens collected at MV light except one pair ab ovo, reared on Pyracantha regersiana in Rouen (France) by TD, and 3 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ ab ovo, reared on Quercus sp. in Bogotá (Colombia) by L.D. Ramirez and DB. Deposited as follow: 2 ♂♂ and 2 ♀ (Fig. 1B, F; allotype; BOLD SampleID: BC-Dec0547) in IAvH, 5 ♂♂ in MNHN (BOLD SampleID: BC-Dec0548, BC-Dec0549, BC-Dec0550), 6 ♂♂ and 1 ♀ in CTD, 1 ♂ in CFB, 4 ♂♂ and 2 ♀♀ in CCGM, 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ in CDB.

Automeris mineros sp. nov. is similar to the reddish forms of A. midea, a species with a large and essentially Amazonian distribution (Fig. 3). However, the vivid coloration, which is occasional in the later, is consistent among all the specimens of A. mineros sp. nov. that have been examined. It is also possible to separate the two species by additional fine characters of the habitus. In A. mineros sp. nov., the antemedian area of the forewings appears lighter than the median area due to the presence of a dense dusting of yellow scales, while this zone is generally concolourous with or darker than the rest of the wing in A. midea (Fig. 4). The apex of the forewing tends to be less acute in A. mineros sp. nov. The width of the yellow periocellar ring of the hindwing is also wider in A. mineros than in most of the examined specimens of A. midea. Finally, the veins on the ventral side of the forewings are clearly highlighted in orange in A. mineros sp. nov., and are more sharply contrasting with the surrounding ground colour than in A. midea. Distinction based on male genitalia is less conclusive, although we can however note the truncated instead of triangular shape of the saccus, as well as the median plate of the gnathos which is less massive in A. mineros sp. nov. and clearly marked by a median projection. Interestingly, DNA barcodes clearly separate A. mineros sp. nov. from all closely related species in a distinct cluster of sequences (BIN BOLD:ABY4503; see fig. 4). The nearest neighbour is A. belizonensis (1.8% minimum p-distance), from which it can be distinguished by the more rounded shape of the forewings and the more vivid coloration of the hindwings.

♂ (Fig. 1A, E). Wingspan: 77–84 mm. Head: dark brown, labial palpi and antennae orange brown. Thorax: dorsally dark brown with red orange piliform scales on the ventral side; legs dark brown. Abdomen: dark orange brown with dark brown piliform scales on the dorsal side; eighth abdominal segment lacking any remarkable sclerotised structure. Forewings: length 40–42 mm, slightly elongated, rounded apex, straight outer margin; dorsal ground colour orange brown, suffused with yellow scales in the ante- and postmedian areas and, to a lesser extent, by pink scales in the median area; antemedial line faint, almost indistinct, only visible as yellow scales bordering its distal edge; postmedial line barely preapical (1–3 mm), slightly convex from apex to vein CuA2, then bent toward the anal margin, yellow in colour, lined distally by a line of black scales; discocellular mark rectangular, darker than the surrounding wing surface, with a dark brown spot in its centre, and three to four small spots of the same colour at its corners. Ventral side with a large dull orange area extending on the main basomedian area, with veins marked in distinctive orange scales; apical area dark brown, extending along outer margin and toward tornus. Postmedial line well marked, dark reddish brown; marginal band diffuse, suffused with yellow scales and disappearing toward apex. Discocellular mark large and black, with a white discal spot in its centre and surrounded by a thin diffuse ring of yellow scales. Hindwings: basomedian area vivid orange-red with a 7–12 mm × 6–8 mm eyespot in its centre formed by, from its centre: a small well marked white pupil surrounded by a dark brown iris, a first large black periocellar ring, a second large yellow ring of the same width, and finally a barely visible line of black scales enclosing the eyespot. Postmedial line black and lunular, distally bordered by a thin line of yellow scales, and proximally by another thin line of yellow and black scales; postmedian area formed by a thin vivid orange-red band and bordered by a large orange-brown marginal band covered with yellow scales. Ventral side light brown, suffused with yellow scales, particularly on the marginal band; venation distally marked with orange scales. Postmedial line dark brown, becoming faint toward the anal margin; discal cell with a small white spot.

Wingspan ♀ (Fig. 1B, F): 94 mm. Head, thorax, and abdomen of the same colour as in the male. Forewings: length 47 mm, elongated, rounded apex, almost straight border; dorsal ground colour dark purplish brown, suffused with light grey scales in the median area, except for a large oblique band lacking these scales approximately half way between the dark rectangular discal mark and the apex; postmedian area suffused with yellow scales. Both ante- and postmedial lines yellow, the latter straight and slightly preapical (3 mm). Ventral side light orange brown, the venation marked by orange scales, marginal band suffused with orange scales; postmedial line dark brown; large black discocellular mark, with a large white discal spot in its centre. Hindwings: Basomedian area brownish red; eyespot with the same structure as in the male, slightly duller in colour; black and lunular postmedial line, bordered by a line of yellow scales on both edges; postmedian area brownish red; marginal band covered with yellow scales. Ventral side light brown, suffused with yellow to pink scales; venation distally marked by orange scales; discal point small and white.

Genitalia ♂ (Fig. 2A): typical of the A. bilinea subgroup as described in Lemaire (2002). Uncus well developed, slightly extending beyond the distal end of the valves, with a broad bifid dorsal protuberance. Dorsal lobes of valves weakly developed and sharp. Median plate of gnathos strongly sclerotised with its posterior margin concave and with a small median projection. Saccus short and anteriorly truncated. Phallus straight, with a small lateral spine on its base; its posterior, tapering end slightly bent upward, with the weakly developed vesica expanding ventrally.

Figure 2. 

Genitalia ♂ of the new species of Automeris spp. A A. mineros sp. nov., paratype ♂ (BC-Dec0549) B A. belemensis sp. nov., paratype ♂ (BC-INCT1136) C A. llaneros sp. nov., paratype ♂ (BC-Dec0712). For each species, the dorsal and ventral views of the genitalia, and the dorsal and lateral views of the aedeagus are represented from the left to the right. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Genitalia ♀: not examined.

Eggs were obtained from a wild collected female. Larvae hatched 22 days after and readily fed on Pyracantha regersiana (Rosaceae) in France (rearing #17 by TD) and on Quercus sp. (Fagaceae) in Colombia (rearing by L. D. Ramirez and DB). Native foodplants remain unknown. Rearing was successful in plastic boxes, feeding larvae with fresh branches changed every 2–4 days. Larvae completed six instars within two months on P. regersiana and pupated in a brown cocoon.

Eggs are white with a black micropyle, laterally flattened, 2 mm diameter × 0.8 mm height, laid in dense cluster of several dozens. First larval instar: head black. Body 4 mm upon hatching, 6 mm maximal length; pale yellow with black scoli and spines. Second instar: Head black. Body 7–8 mm maximal length; brownish yellow dorsally, dull yellow ventrally; scoli and spines dark brown. Third instar: Head black. Body: 14 mm maximal length; brownish yellow dorsally, green yellow ventrally; scoli and spines dark brown. Fourth instar: Head black. Body 19–20 mm maximal length; dark brown dorsally with fine light green stripes, light green ventrally; scoli and spines dark brown to black. Fifth instar: Head green. Body: 35–40 mm maximal length; light green colour with pink dorsal ornamentation, a lateral ivory strip ventrally and dorsally bordered with a thin black line; scoli and spines light green. Sixth instar: Same colour and ornamentation as previous instar; 35–40 mm maximal length. Pupa and cocoon: Last instar larvae spin a thin and supple cocoon of beige silk. Pupa 24–37 mm long, dark brown. Reared adults emerged from the cocoon early in the morning one to two months after pupation.

Automeris mineros sp. nov. is known form the type locality only, in the Oriental Cordillera of Colombia near Muzo (Fig. 3), a region from which a number of new taxa of Saturniidae were described recently (Decaëns and Rougerie 2008).

Figure 3. 

Distribution maps of Automeris species within the subgroup of A. bilinea, based on georeferenced records collected from BOLD, and known geographic distribution of the three new species of Automeris spp.

This species is named in reference to emerald mining, which represents an emblematic economic activity in the region surrounding the type locality.

Holotype. Brazil • ♂ (Fig. 1C, G); Pará state, Maçaranduba, Nova Ipixuna; Apr. 2008; 4.7990°S, 49.3630°W; elevation: 100 m; at MV light; TD leg.; BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0008; deposited in MPEG (catalogue number: MPEG.HLE 04018743).

Paratypes (16 ♂♂). Brazil • 13 ♂♂, same data as holotype with different sampling locations in the same area: 4.7990°S, 49.3630°W; 4.8110°S, 49.3670°W; 4.8050°S, 49.3690°W; 4.8040°S, 49.3230°W. Brazil • 1 ♂; Pará state, Pacajá; June 2008; 3.7060°S, 51.0390°W; at MV light; TD leg. Brazil • 2 ♂♂; Maranhão state, Reserva Biologica do Gurupi; 18 Apr. 2010; 4.0014°S, 46.8372°W; at MV light; TD leg. Deposited as follow: 3 ♂♂ in MPEG (BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0667, BC-TDMPEG0743, BC-TDMPEG0744; MPEG catalogue number: MPEG.HLE 04018744, MPEG.HLE 04018745, MPEG.HLE 04018746), 4 ♂♂ in the MNHN (BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0918, BC-TDMPEG0919, BC-INCT1136, BC-INCT1137), 3 ♂♂ in CFB (BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0956, BC-TDMPEG0957, BC-TDMPEG0982), 2 ♂♂ in CCGM (BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0983, BC-TDMPEG0920), 4 ♂♂ in CTD (BOLD SampleID: BC-TDMPEG0007, BC-TDMPEG0009, BC-TDMPEG0014, BC-TDMPEG0301).

Phenotypically, Automeris belemensis sp. nov. is closely related to A. cinctistriga and A. godartii from which it is difficult to separate based on wing patterns, particularly if we consider the phenotypic variability that characterises these species (see Fig. 3 for distribution map of these species). However, the examination of a large number of specimens reveals subtle characters that make it possible to differentiate them. The distinction from A. cinctistriga is possible because of the general shape of the forewings in A. belemensis sp. nov. usually less elongated with a less prominent apex, and by the ornamentation of the eyespot of the hindwings, whose yellow ring is thinner, and highlighted externally by the presence of a line of black scales which is usually lacking in A. cinctistriga. The distinction from A. godartii is more difficult, but the general colouration of the wings is, however, different in the 22 specimens examined of the two species. In A. belemensis sp. nov., the ground colour of the forewings is a lighter orange-brown than the grey-brown ground colour that is characteristic of A. godartii. The dusting of silver scales generally present in A. godartii, in particular in the preapical triangle of the forewings, is weakly marked or completely absent in A. belemensis sp. nov. The ante- and postmedial lines are also lighter in A. belemensis, standing out in a more contrasted way compared to the surrounding wing colour. Finally, the line of black scales surrounding the eyespot of the hindwings, and sometimes even the yellow periocellar ring, which are continuous in A. godartii, are frequently interrupted towards the subcostal area in A. belemensis sp. nov. It is likely that the male of A. godartii figured in Lemaire (2002: plate 40, fig. 4), originating from the state of Pará in Brazil, actually belongs to A. belemensis sp. nov.

With a long posteriorly produced uncus, male genitalia are similar to those of A. godartii, but also to those of A. lemensis, which is known only from the Gran Sabana region in southern Venezuela (Fig. 3). Interestingly, the DNA barcodes of the 11 sequenced specimens of A. belemensis sp. nov. form a distinct cluster in the NJ tree (BIN BOLD:AAA5242) with A. lemensis as the nearest neighbour with 2% minimum uncorrected p-distance (Fig. 4). However, both species can easily be distinguished by the ground coloration of their wings, which is much duller in the former, especially in the periocellar area of the hindwings, and an otherwise much rounder hindwing eyespot.

Figure 4. 

Neighbour joining tree (K2P distances) built from DNA barcodes (COI) of specimens from the three new species of Automeris and their closest relatives. The labels of the terminal branches successively give the following information: sample ID code in the Barcode of Life Data system, country, and exact collecting site when available, Barcode Identification Number (BIN) automatically assigned to each sequence in BOLD. All specimens of A. lemensis and one of A. bilinea have no BIN number due to the short length of their COI sequences.

♂ (Fig. 1C, G). Wingspan: 70–71 mm. Head: dark brown, labial palpi and antennae orange brown. Thorax: dorsally dark brown and ventrally orange brown; legs dark brown. Abdomen: orange brown. Forewings: Length 35–37 mm, slightly elongated, slightly prominent apex, straight outer border; dorsal ground colour orange brown; ante- and postmedial lines thin and yellow, the latter slightly convex, becoming barely visible upon reaching the costal margin 3–4 mm from the apex; discocellular mark rectangular, darker than the surrounding wing surface, with four to six dark brown spots at its angles. Ventral side yellow brown, slightly darker on the outer margin, with the postmedial line underlined by dark brown scales, and a large black discocellular spot, marked in its centre by a small white discal dot. Hindwings: basomedian area dull orange with a large eyespot in its centre formed by, from its centre: a small black and white pupil, a large grey brown iris surrounded by a broad black periocellar ring, followed by a thin yellow ring, and finally by an external line of black scales. Postmedial line lunular, formed by a thin yellow line bordered proximally and distally by a wider black line; postmedian area dull orange; marginal band orange brown. Ventral side uniformly yellow brown, with a straight, weakly marked postmedial line, a faint zigzagging premarginal line, and with a small white discal spot.

Female unknown.

Genitalia ♂ (Fig. 2B): similar general structure as in other species of the bilinea subgroup. Uncus well developed, long and bent downwards, apically barely bifid. Dorsal lobes of valves well developed and broadly triangular. Median plate of gnathos strongly sclerotised with its posterior margin convex, a developed median projection, and long lateral appendages. Saccus well developed, triangular and acute anteriorly. Phallus straight, with a small lateral spine on its base; its posterior end slightly bent upward, with a weakly developed vesica.

Automeris belemensis sp. nov. is known from the lower Amazonian watershed in the Brazilian states of Pará and Maranhão, Brazil (Fig. 3). It has not been found despite of extensive collecting efforts in neighbouring region of French Guiana, and is also unknown from other areas of Brazilian Amazonia. This suggests it could be restricted to the Belém area of endemism as defined in Cardoso da Silva et al. (2005), which was recently highlighted as a hotspot for the diversity of so far undescribed moth species (Lamarre et al. 2016).

Automeris belemensis sp. nov. is named as a reference to the area of endemism of Belém where this species has been found and to which it is likely endemic.

Holotype. Colombia • ♂ (Fig. 1D, H); Casanare, Orocue; 4.7943°N, 71.3353°W; elevation: 150 m; Aug. 1999; at MV light; TD and DB leg.; BOLD SampleID: BC-Dec0711; deposited in the IAvH.

Paratype. Colombia • 1 ♂; Meta, Carimagua research station; 4.5716°N, 71.3320°W; elevation: 170 m; July 1999; at MV light; TD and DB leg.; BOLD SampleID: BC-Dec0712; deposited in CTD.

Automeris llaneros sp. nov. is phenotypically very similar to A. cinctistriga, from which it is quite difficult to distinguish based on wing patterns alone. However, the two known specimens of A. llaneros sp. nov. have less elongated forewings with less acute apices than most of the examined specimens of A. cinctistriga. The background colour of the forewing is also duller in A. llaneros sp. nov., less orange, and the ante- and postmedian lines are finer, beige instead of yellow, and contrasting much less markedly with the general colour of the wings. Finally, the distance between the ante- and postmedian lines at the point where they join the anal edge of the forewings seems greater in A. llaneros sp. nov. (1 cm in the two known specimens) than in A. cinctistriga (4–7 mm). The DNA barcodes of A. llaneros sp. nov. are assigned to a different BIN than those of A. cinctistriga (see discussion), and the two species are very clearly separated in the DNA barcode tree, bringing additional support to their treatment as two distinct species.

DNA barcodes place A. llaneros sp. nov. near A. belizonensis, A. mineros sp. nov., and A. fieldi on the NJ tree (Fig. 4). This proximity seems to be confirmed by the examination of the male genitalia, whose bifid protuberance of the uncus is strongly developed, exceeding the tip of the valves, as in A. mineros sp. nov. (described here), A. belizonensis, and A. fieldi (Lemaire 1971; Brechlin and Meister 2014). In comparison, A. cinctistriga generally presents a less developed and less deeply indented uncus (Lemaire 1971). The new species is also easily distinguished from these close relatives based on its wing shape and patterns. For instance, A. belizonensis has more elongated forewings with more pointed apex, and an overall more vivid and orange colouring. Automeris mineros sp. nov. also has a very different coloration, notably due to the contrasting orange-red periocellar area of the hindwings. Finally, A. fieldi, a species occurring from the Pacific slopes of the Andes to Costa Rica (Fig. 3) and probably north to Honduras (Bénéluz, pers. comm.), stands out again by the slightly more elongated shape of the forewings, but also by the presence of a continuous ring of black scales external to the eyespot of the hindwings, which is lacking in A. llaneros sp. nov.

♂ (Fig. 1D, H). Wingspan: 72–74 mm. Head: Dark brown, labial palpi and antennae brown. Thorax: dorsally dark brown and ventrally light brown; legs light brown. Abdomen: dorsally orange brown, ventrally light brown. Forewings: Length 32–35 mm, slightly elongated, slightly prominent apex, straight to slightly convex outer border; dorsal ground colour dull orange brown; antemedial line thin and beige, doubled with a brown line proximally; postmedial line slightly convex, barely visible as it reaches the costal margin 2–3 mm from the apex, thin and beige, distally bordered by dark brown scales; basal and median areas concolorous; discocellular mark of the median area rectangular, darker than the surrounding wing surface, with three clearly visible dark brown spots at corners and one faint central spot. Ventral side yellow brown, with darker postmedial and premarginal lines, and a large black discocellular mark, marked in its centre by a white discal spot; venation marked with orange scales. Hindwings: Basomedian area dull orange suffused by dark brown scales, with a large eyespot in its centre formed by, from its centre: an almost completely white small pupil, suffused with few black scales, a large grey brown iris, surrounded by a large black ring and then a thinner yellow ring (in paratype specimen we observed a few black scales external to this outer yellow ring of the eyespot); postmedial line black, lunular, bordered proximally and distally by thin lines of yellow scales; postmedian area dull orange; marginal band large and grey. Ventral side uniformly orange brown, with a weak oblique postmedial line interrupted before it reaches the costal margin, a vestigial premarginal line forming darker U-shaped marks between veins, and a small white discal point.

Female unknown.

Genitalia ♂ (Fig. 2C): very similar to those of A. mineros sp. nov. Uncus elongated, large and strongly bifid apically, largely extending beyond the valves. Valves relatively short, rounded, with a broad, rounded dorsal lobe; arms short and strongly curved. Median plate of the gnathos highly sclerotised, as wide as the saccus and subrectangular. Saccus well developed, triangular and acute anteriorly.

Automeris llaneros sp. nov. is only known from the region of Carimagua and Orocué, in the Colombian part of the Orinoco watershed, the so called “Llanos Orientales” of Colombian Eastern Plains (Fig. 3). The region has been poorly investigated for saturniid diversity but is known to host a few endemics whose exact distributions need to be clarified (see for example Decaëns et al. 2005).

This species is named in reference to the Llanos region, which refer to the large area of savannahs that cover most of the Colombian and Venezuelan Orinoco watershed.