Bullseye Moth Automeris io 15 eggs

Bullseye Moth Automeris io North America 

Eggs and Larvae of the Bullseye Moth are not available every year. This small silkmoth has a number of interesting characteristics.

The male and female are distinctly different colours – both have the enormous eye markings on the hindwings which are exposed when the moth is disturbed.

The larvae are covered by branched spines – don’t touch them – they sting like a nettle! They are gregarious until the larvae are quite large, changing colour at each skin change.

For pairing, keep the moths in a cage the size of the Pyjama Mini Cage. Fertile eggs develop a black dot which is the micropyle, through which the embryo breathes. A useful indicator of fertility, not present in most other species.

The larvae are polyphagous, ie they will accept a wide variety of foodplants, which include such trees as Oak, Lime, Willow, Hazel, Bramble, Apple, Hawthorn and more.