New Jersey Butterfly Club
A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
Io Moth (Automeris io)
Hodges number: 7746
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Hemileucinae
Wingspan: 2.0-3.2 inches
Range in NJ: Statewide
A U.S./Canada distribution map for this species is available.
Flight Period: Mainly May-August, 1 or 2 broods
Caterpillar Food Plants: Wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants
Comments: Generally uncommon. Attracted to lights. This is one species of moth that absolutely must be seen with its wings open to be fully appreciated.
Male, Sussex County, NJ, 6/18/14.
Female, Fredon, Sussex County, NJ, 6/23/15.
Early-instar larvae on Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) Hunterdon County, NJ, 8/1/14.
Mid-instar larvae on Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) Hunterdon County, NJ, 8/1/14.
Last-instar larva, 9/2/11.