Giant
Silkworm Moth (Rothschildia lebeau lebeau)
| Taxonomy: |
|
| Kingdom: |
Animalia |
| Phylum: |
Arthropoda |
| Class: |
Insecta |
| Order: |
|
| Family: |
Saturniidae |
| Sub-Family: |
Saturniinae |
| Genus: |
Rothschildia |
| Species: |
lebeau |
| Year: |
1868 |
| Distribution: |
South America, Central America, Mexico, Rio
Grande Valley of Texas. |
Adults tend to emmerge in the early evening. Mating
usually starts 10pm till midnight. They will start
to lay eggs the folowing day. Usually laying 3-6
eggs per row on the leafs of the plant that the
caterpillars will eat. As adult moths, they do not
feed. Their season ranges from February-April, and
September-November.
Females: get 3 1/2 - 4 15/16 inches (9 -
12.5 cm).
Males: get 3 1/2 - 4 15/16 inches (9 - 12.5
cm).
Diet: Privit, lime prickly ash (Zanthoxylum fagara),
Mexican ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana), citrus (Citrus),
willow (Salix), peach (Prunus persica), and acacia
(Acacia).


Cocoons. |