Saturniidae 1

Saturniidae

Saturniids

Male Small Emperor Moth, Saturnia pavonia(Saturniinae)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

(unranked): Macrolepidoptera

Superfamily: Bombycoidea

Family: Saturniidae

Subfamilies

OxyteninaeCercophaninaeArsenurinaeCeratocampinaeHemileucinaeAgliinaeLudiinaeSalassinaeSaturniinae

The Saturniidae, commonly known as saturniids, are among the largest and most spectacular of the moths. Theyform a family of Lepidoptera, with an estimated 1,300 to 1,500 described species worldwide[1] . The Saturniidaeinclude such Lepidoptera as the giant silkmoths, royal moths and emperor moths.Adults are characterized by large size, heavy bodies covered in hair-like scales, lobed wings, reduced mouthparts,and small heads. They lack a frenulum but the hind wings overlap the forewings, producing the same effect of anunbroken wing surface[2] . These moths are sometimes brightly colored and often have translucent eyespots or"windows" on their wings. Sexual dimorphism varies by species, but males can generally be distinguished by theirlarger, broader antennae. Most adults possess wingspans between 1 to 6 inches (2.5 to 15 cm), but some tropicalspecies, such as the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), may boast quite incredible wingspans of up to 12 inches (30 cm).Together with certain Noctuidae (chiefly Calpinae and Catocalinae, such as the genera Ascalapha, Erebus orThysania), the Saturniidae thus contain the largest Lepidoptera, and indeed some of the very largest insects alivetoday.

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DistributionThe majority of saturniid species occur in wooded tropical or subtropical regions, with the greatest diversity in theNew World Tropics and Mexico[2] , though they are found all over the world. There are approximately one dozendescribed species living in Europe, one of which, the Emperor Moth, occurs in the British Isles, and 68 describedspecies living in North America, 42 of which reside north of Mexico and Southern California.

Life cycle

Life stages of Giant Emperor Moth (Saturniapyri)

Some saturniids produce more than one brood a year. Spring andsummer broods hatch in a matter of weeks; autumn broods enter a stateknown as diapause and emerge the following spring. How the pupaeknow when to hatch early or hibernate is not yet fully understood,though research suggests that day length during the larvae's 5th instarplays a major role. Longer days may prompt pupae to develop early,while shorter days result in pupal diapause. The number of broods isflexible, and a single female may produce both fast-developing andslow-developing individuals, or they may produce different numbers ofbroods in different years or parts of the range[2] . In some species – e.g.the Luna Moth (Actias luna) or Callosamia securifera (bothSaturniinae) –, spring and summer broods look different, with differentgenes activated by environmental conditions[2] .

Eggs

Clutch of Emperor Gum Moth (Opodiphtheraeucalypti) eggs

Depending on the moth, a single female may lay up to 200 eggs on achosen host plant. Others lay singly or in small groups[3] . They areround, slightly flattened, smooth and translucent or whitish.

Larvae

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Unidentified saturniid larva in Brazil

Saturniid caterpillars are large (50 to 100 mm in the final instar), stoutand cylindrical. Most have tubercules that are often also spiny or hairy.Many are cryptic in coloration, with countershading or disruptivecoloration to reduce detection, but some are more colourful. Somehave stinging hairs[3] . A few species have been noted to produceclicking sounds with the larval mandibles when disturbed (e.g.Saturniini like Actias luna and Polyphemus Moth, Antheraeapolyphemus). It has been hypothesized that the clicks serve asaposematic warning signals to a regurgitation defense[4] . Most aresolitary feeders, but some are gregarious. The Hemileucinae aregregarious when young and have stinging hairs[2] , those of Lonomiacontaining a poison which may kill a human.

The other caterpillars in this size range are almost universally Sphingidae, which are seldom hairy and tend to havediagonal stripes on their sides. Many Sphingidae caterpillars bear a single curved horn on their hind end. These areactually not dangerous, while large haired caterpillars should generally not be touched except by experts.Most saturniid larvae feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs. A few, particularly Hemileucinae such as Automerislouisiana, A. patagonensis and Hemileuca oliviae, feed on grasses. They moult at regular intervals, usually four tosix times before entering the pupal stage. Prior to pupation there is a wandering stage, and the caterpillar may changecolour, becoming more cryptic just before this stage[2] .

Luna Moth (Actias luna, Saturniinae) pupa (right)removed from cocoon (left, note last larval skin)

Pupae

Most larvae spin a silken cocoon in the leaves of a preferred host plantor in leaf litter on the ground, or crevices in rocks and logs. While onlymoderately close relatives to the silkworm (Bombyx mori) among theLepidoptera, the cocoons of most larger saturniids can be gathered andused to make silk fabric. However, larvae of some species – typicallyCeratocampinae, like the Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis) and theImperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) – burrow and pupate in a smallchamber beneath the soil. This is common in the Ceratocampinae andHemileucinae. Unlike most silk moths, those that pupate undergrounddo not use much silk in the construction[2] . Once enclosed in thecocoon, pupae undergo metamorphosis.

Adults

Adult females emerge with a complete set of mature ova and "call" males by emitting pheromones (specific "calling"times vary by species). Males can detect these chemical signals up to a mile away with help from sensitive receptorslocated on the tips of their featherlike antennae. The males will fly several miles in one night to locate a female andmate with her; females generally will not fly until after they have mated.

Since the mouthparts of adult saturniids are vestigial and digestive tracts are absent, adults subsist on stored lipidsacquired during the larval stage. As such, adult behavior is devoted almost entirely to reproduction, but the end result(due to lack of feeding) is a lifespan of a week or less once emerged from the pupa.

Saturniidae 4

Importance to humansA few species are important defoliator pests, including the Orange-striped Oakworm Moth (Anisota senatoria) onoaks, the Pandora Pinemoth (Coloradia pandora) on pines and Hemileuca oliviae on range grasses.Other species are of major commercial importance in tussah and wild silk production. These notably include theChinese Tussah Moth (Antheraea pernyi), its hybridogenic descendant Antheraea × proylei, and the AilanthusSilkmoth (Samia cynthia).Caterpillars of the genus Lonomia produce possibly the most deadly toxin of any known animal.[5]

Most Saturniidae are harmless animals at least as adults, and in many cases at all stages of their life. Thus, some ofthe more spectacular species – in particular Antheraea – can be raised by children or school classes as educationalpets. The soft, silken cocoons make an interesting keepsake for pupils.

Systematics and evolutionNot only are the Saturniidae most diverse in the Neotropics in terms of absolute numbers of species. Also, their mostancient subfamilies occur only in the Americas. Only the very "modern" Saturniidae are widely distributed acrossmost parts of the world. Thus, it is quite safe to assume – even in the absence of a comprehensive fossil record – thatthe first Saturniidae flew around in the neotropical region.The following list arranges the subfamilies in the presumed phylogenetic sequence, from the most ancient to themost advanced one. Some notable genera and species are also included.• Subfamily Oxyteninae

• Oxytenis• Subfamily Cercophaninae• Subfamily Arsenurinae (10 genera, Neotropics)

• Paradaemonia Bouvier, 1925

Anisota stigma (Ceratocampinae)

Male Citheronia splendens (Ceratocampinae)

• Subfamily Ceratocampinae (27 genera, Americas)• Adeloneivaia• Anisota

• Anisota senatoria – Orange-striped Oakworm Moth• Citheronia

• Citheronia azteca• Citheronia lobesis• Citheronia regalis – Regal Moth• Citheronia sepulcralis – Pine-devil Moth

• Dryocampa

• Dryocampa rubicunda – Rosy Maple Moth• Eacles

• Eacles imperialis – Imperial Moth• Sphingicampa• Syssphinx

• Subfamily Hemileucinae (51 genera, Americas)• Automeris

• Automeris io – Io Moth• Coloradia• Hemileuca

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Automeris metzli (Hemileucinae)

Female Tau Emperor (Aglia tau, Agliinae)

• Hemileuca nevadensis – Nevada Buck Moth• Hemileuca maia – Buck Moth

• Lonomia• Ormiscodes

• Subfamily Agliinae (monotypic)• Aglia

• Aglia tau – Tau Emperor• Subfamily Ludiinae (8 genera, Africa)• Subfamily Salassinae (monotypic, Tropics)

• Salassa• Subfamily Saturniinae (over 70 genera, tropical and temperate

regions worldwide)

References

• Brown, S.G.; Boettner, G.H. & Yack, J.E. (2007): Clickingcaterpillars: acoustic aposematism in Antheraea polyphemus andother Bombycoidea. J. Exp. Biol. 210(6): 993-1005. PDF fulltext [6]

• Scoble, M.J. (1995): The Lepidoptera: Form, Function andDiversity (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

• Tuskes, P.M.; Tuttle, J.P. & Collins, M.M. (1996): The wild silk moths of North America. Cornell UniversityPress. ISBN 0-8014-3130-1

Further reading• Burnie, David (2001). Smithsonian: Animal (1st American ed.). DK Publishing Inc., 375 Hudson St. New York,

NY 10014.• Mitchell, Robert T. (2002). Butterflies and Moths: A Golden Guide From St. Martin's Press. St. Martin's Press,

New York.• Racheli, L. & Racheli, T. (2006): The Saturniidae Fauna of Napo Province, Ecuador: An Overview (Lepidoptera:

Saturniidae). SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterología 34(134): 125-139. PDF fulltext [7] (inventory of about 200Saturniidae taxa)

• Lampe, Rudolf E. J. (2010) Saturniidae of the World – Pfauenspinner der WeltTheir Life Stages from the Eggs tothe Adults -Ihre Entwicklungsstadien vom Ei zum Falter [English and German] ISBN 978-3-89937-084-3

External links• Moth Mystery Solved by Entomologist Laurie Jo Jensen of The Termite Guy in San Clemente, CA [8]

• Moths of North America: Saturniidae [9]

• Bombycoidea of Canada [10]

• Family Classification of Lepidoptera [11]

• University of Kentucky Entomology: Saturniid Moths [12]

• Moths (Saturniidae) of the United States [13]

• Flickr: Photos tagged with "saturniidae" [14]

• Saturniidae pictures [15]

• How to rear saturniid moths [16]

• Saturniidae of Europe [17]

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• Saturnia-Homepage [18]

• Saturniidae-web.de [19]

• Kirby Wolfe images [15]

References[1] Grimaldi & Engel (2005)[2] Tuskes et al. (1996)[3] Scoble (1995)[4] Brown et al. (2007)[5] http:/ / www. cmaj. ca/ cgi/ content/ full/ 179/ 2/ 158[6] http:/ / jeb. biologists. org/ cgi/ reprint/ 210/ 6/ 993. pdf[7] http:/ / redalyc. uaemex. mx/ redalyc/ pdf/ 455/ 45513402. pdf[8] http:/ / www. 877termite. com/ resources. php?s=resources& p=general[9] http:/ / www. npwrc. usgs. gov/ resource/ distr/ lepid/ moths/ usa/ saturnii. htm[10] http:/ / www. scib. gc. ca/ spp_pages/ misc_moths/ phps/ bom_e. php[11] http:/ / www. troplep. org/ famlist. htm[12] http:/ / www. uky. edu/ Agriculture/ Entomology/ entfacts/ misc/ ef008. htm[13] http:/ / www. geocities. com/ mothman15/[14] http:/ / www. flickr. com/ photos/ tags/ saturniidae/[15] http:/ / www. silkmoths. bizland. com/ kirbywolfe. htm[16] http:/ / www. kiva. net/ ~daylight/ moth. html[17] http:/ / tpittaway. tripod. com/ silk/ satlist. htm[18] http:/ / www. saturnia. de/[19] http:/ / www. saturniidae-web. de/ index. html

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsSaturniidae  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360699707  Contributors: Aubrey Osiris, Brian8710, Bunchofgrapes, Camazine, Chinasaur, Demonslave, Deranged bulbasaur,Dyanega, Dysmorodrepanis, Editor at Large, Gdr, HKmoths, HenkvD, Howcheng, Jordan 1972, Kugamazog, MGlosenger, Martarius, Mattz1010, Mdesalas, Meganmccarty, Mohammedal-Khawal, Notafly, Phegda, PuzzletChung, Richard Barlow, Rikoshi, Sarefo, Satyrium, Severo, Shyamal, Sindhu ramchandran, Stemonitis, Taxidermistjake, Termiteguy, TheAlphaWolf,Totakeke423, TwoOneTwo, VooDooChild, Wsiegmund, 27 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributorsfile:Saturnia pavonia 01.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Saturnia_pavonia_01.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:EntomoloImage:Great Peacock Moth.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Great_Peacock_Moth.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: -Image:Emperor Gum Moth eggs2.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Emperor_Gum_Moth_eggs2.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: Hoenny, IesImage:Lagarta2.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lagarta2.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Conrado, Dyanega, Ies, Man vyi, Olei,Quadell, SatyriumImage:Actias luna pupa 2 sjh.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Actias_luna_pupa_2_sjh.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors:Kugamazog, Rocket000Image:Anisota stigma.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Anisota_stigma.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: User:J.D. RobertsImage:Citheronia splendens male sjh.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Citheronia_splendens_male_sjh.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Dysmorodrepanis, Kilom691, Kugamazog, Rocket000Image:Automeris metzli.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Automeris_metzli.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: Pablo AlbertoSalguero QuilesImage:Aglia tau female 29 06 2000.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Aglia_tau_female_29_06_2000.JPG  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors:Jan-Herm Janßen

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unportedhttp:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/