Automeris io

 

Distribution:

North America, from southern Canada to a large part of the USA (not in the west)

Wingspan:

in between 5 and 8 cm. 

Season:

one to four flights, depending on local conditions

Food plants:

Especially Robinia, Corylus, Quercus and Rosa. Reported on many other plants (Rubus, Salix, Carpinus, Alnus, Fagus, Liquidambar, ...)

Rearing:

Very easy, suitable for children. Keep in well ventilated plastic containers, netted cages or sleeved outdoors. Relatively fast growing and ready to pupate in approximately  six weeks. The pupal stage between two summer flights is short (around 2 to 3 weeks). Keep the pupae in the fridge to overwinter.

Difficulties:

none