This week's silkmoth is a smaller species from tropical South America. Automeris naranja is not difficult to breed and the caterpillars will accept several Rosaceae (Crataegus, Malus, Pyrus, Prunus, Rosa, ...). I kept them on Crataegus. Caterpillars are very social and live in groups their entire lives. Because of their small size they can be kept in a plastic box, covered with fine mesh at the top. Getting them to pair is an entirely different story. Not that it requires anything special, but the moths eclose over several months. You need some luck to have a male and a female at the same moment.
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| Automeris naranja male - defensive position |
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| Automeris naranja female - resting position |
