Saturniidae (Silkmoths)

LIST OF CARESHEETS/SPECIES INFO: (Click on the names)

Actias dubernardi (Chinese moon moth)
Actias dulcinea (Sweetheart moon moth)
Actias isis (Sulawesi moon moth)
Actias maenas (Malaysian moon moth)
Actias luna (Luna moth)
Actias rhodopneuma (Pink spirit moth)
Actias selene (Indian moon moth)
Actias sinensis (Golden moon moth)
Argema mimosae (African Moon Moth)
Attacus atlas (Atlas moth)
Antheraea pernyi (Chinese Oak Silkmoth)
Antheraea polyphemus (Polyphemus moth)
Antheraea godmani (Godman’s silkmoth)
Antherina suraka (Madagascar bullseye)
Aurivillius aratus (Cat-eyed emperor)
Automeris io (Io moth)
Automeris tridens
Automeris cf niepelti (Niepelt’s eyed silkmoth)
Actias selene (Indian moon moth)
Bunaea alcinoe (Cabbage tree emperor moth)
Cachosaturnia cachara
Callosamia promethea (Cherry silkmoth)
Citheronia azteca (Aztecan horned devil)
Citheronia beledonon (Mexican horned devil)
Citheronia bellavista (Fiery horned devil)
Citheronia laocoon (Brazilian horned devil)
Citheronia regalis (Hickory horned devil)
Copaxa sophronia
Cricula trifenestrata (Cricula silkmoth)
Dirphia brevifurca
Dryocampa rubicunda (Rosy maple moth)
Epiphora vacuna (Dark Lunar Emperor moth)
Graellsia isabellae (Spanish moon moth)
Gonimbrasia tyrrhea (Zig-Zag Emperor moth)
Holocerina angulata (Angulate batwing)
Hyperchiria incisa
Lemaireodirphia albida
Lobobunaea christyi
Loepa oberthuri (Oberthür’s silkmoth)
Lonomia electra (Assasin caterpillar)
Nudaurelia dione
Paradirphia semirosea
Paradirphia fumosa (Smoky Emperor Moth)
Perisomena caecigena (Autumn Emperor Moth)
Rinaca lindia (Himalayan Emperor Moth)
Rhodinia fugax (Squeaking silkmoth)
Rhodinia verecunda (Taiwanese squeaking silkmoth)
Rothschildia aurota
Rothschildia cincta
Rothschildia erycina
Rothschildia jacobaeae
Rothschildia triloba
Pseudimbrasia deyrollei (Deyrolle’s emperor)
Samia ricini (Eri silkmoth)
Saturnia pavonia (Small Emperor Moth)
Saturnia pyri (Giant Peacock Moth)

Saturniidae in the wild
The Saturniidae, also known as Emperor moths or Silkmoths are a large family of moths that can be found nearly all over the world, with over 2000 species. Despite their nearly global presence, Saturniidae biodiversity is mainly concentrated around the tropics – the majority of Saturniidae are tropical species. The Saturniidae are the among biggest winged insects on this planet; species such as the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) and hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules) have the largest recorded wingspans and wing surface areas of all insects, in rare cases measuring up to 260mm-280mm in wingspan. Saturniidae moths have no functional mouthparts and cannot feed. For this reason the adults are relatively short lived. Adult Saturniidae moths get their energy from the fat reserves they have stored in their abdomens. Although these fat reserves cannot be replenished for they cannot feed, they provide the moths with enough energy for several days or even weeks, which is enough time for the adults to find a mate, lay eggs after pairing and die. The lifespan of a Saturniidae moth is short and usually varies between 4 and 21 days time (rough estimation); larger species seem to live longer – up to several weeks – while the smallest species usually don’t last longer than a week. Many species of Saturniidae moths spin large silk cocoons to protect their pupae, however some subfamilies refrain from spinning silk and pupate underground or in leaf litter. The caterpillars of Saturniidae are large and are often adorned with spikes or appendages called setae; in some cases, these spines may inject an urticating venom when touched. Because of this, some Saturniidae species are a health hazard, especially in the tropics – some of them have painful or dangerous sting. In the majority of cases however, the spines and tubercules they carry are not venomous and rather help them blend in with the environment or simply makes it harder to grab or swallow them. Some species do not have any appendages at all and are simply ‘naked’ looking, and some may be hairy instead. Saturniidae rarely sequester toxins and are generally edible although there are a few known exceptions (Arsenura, Eochroa, Ceranchia).

Saturniidae moths strongly rely on smell; the males have large feathered antennae that allow them to smell the females pheromone in order to locate her. Males have a much more active lifestyle and need to fly for miles in some cases to find a partner. For that reason their bodies are often better adapted for flight. Females of most Saturniidae species don’t fly much at all. They appear quite apathic and inactive and may sit in the same spot for days, waiting for a male to arrive. The females can emit pheromone, a chemical that attracts males. The job of the female is mainly to remain undiscovered and in a secure position, until a male finds her. Because females carry hundreds of eggs and are greater in size, flying is harder for them due to their increased bodymass. The females of some species can be so heavy that they struggle to fly at all. The males however are much more agile because they are smaller, have more aerodynamic, slender wings and bodies. In some cases males and females have a completely different colour (sexual dimorphism). It is only after having recieved the sperm of a male that the females become more active. In this case they will fly or wander around and start to lay eggs. While most Lepidoptera prefer to lay eggs on their host plants, Saturniidae seem to drop them more randomly. Not completely random though; females do have a limited capability to smell and locate their host plants. However in most cases females are already on their host plants because they don’t tend to wander very far from their cocoons, and most caterpillars pupate in the vincinity of, or even on the bark or leaves of their own food plants themselves. Thus, females feel comfortable with ‘dumping’ their eggs a bit randomly, since most of the time, females are located in the vinicinity of their food plants. Females will also lay eggs if they feel stressed and are being disturbed, attacked or handled; this may help her escape because females are often too heavy to fly very well, and dumping some eggs may reduce her weight, enabling a quicker escape. It is also a survival mechanism that allows females to quickly leave some offspring in case she dies; leaving some offspring behind in a panic is better than dying without leaving anything in a dangerous situation. Saturniidae are more often than not polyphagous instead of specialists on a single host plant although there are a few rare exceptions.

The adults of Saturniidae are well known and popular collectors items, and generally speaking they are a ‘well-studied’ family. The opposite is true for their ecology however; especially in the tropics, the host plants, ecology and life cycle of even the most common Saturniidae can be unknown.

Saturniidae in captivity
Saturniidae are the most commonly bred moths in captivity. First of all, some species of Saturniidae have economical value and have been bred for hundreds or even thousands of years for the purpose of silk production (sericulture). Some species have even been completely domesticated or are completely man made polyhybrids (Samia ricini, Antheraea pernyi) that were artificially selected for silk production. Secondly they don’t just provide silk, but nutrition too. In some countries it is a common practice to eat the caterpillars or pupae of Saturniidae moths. In Africa, several types of Gonimbrasia species, Heniocha species and Cirina forda are a popular snack. The larvae are commonly cooked or mashed into a paste, dried out, or added to a stew; and in some cases even eaten alive. In Asia, pupae of several Saturniidae species are cooked, fried with oil, dried or salted and added with fish. This is convenient because some common species of Saturniidae are ubiquitous in tropical countries and are easily collected, bred or farmed in captivity, providing a reliable source of income and food. They are also large species and in most cases non-toxic. Saturniidae rarely sequester toxins and are generally edible although there are a few known exceptions (Arsenura, Eochroa, Ceranchia). And last but not least, their great sizes, spectaculair shapes, colours and the fact that most of them can be easily bred in captivity has made them very popular among amateur entomologists, collectors and breeders that raise them in captivity. Many zoos and tropical butterfly houses have various types of Saturniidae in their displays; commonly seen are the atlas moths (Attacus atlas), comet moths (Argema mittrei) or Rothschildia moths (Rothschildia lebeau) – these are being bred on a commercial level.

Making websites is very easy with WordPress – consider doing the same! I can recommend WordPress for blogging/writing purposes. Interested? Click here!

Thank you for reading my article. This is the end of this page. Below you will find some useful links to help you navigate my website better or help you find more information that you need about moths and butterflies.

Dear reader – thank you very much for visiting! Your readership is much appreciated. Are you perhaps…. (see below)

Not done browsing yet? Then click here to return to the homepage (HOMEPAGE)
Looking for a specific species? Then click here to see the full species list (FULL SPECIES LIST)
Looking for general (breeding)guides and information? Then click here to see the general information (GENERAL INFORMATION)
Interested in a certain family? Then click here to see all featured Lepidoptera families (FAMILIES)

Citations: Coppens, B. (2019); Written by Bart Coppens; based on a real life breeding experience [for citations in literature and publications]

Was this information helpful to you? Then please consider contributing here (more information) to keep this information free and support the future of this website. This website is completely free to use, and crowdfunded. Contributions can be made via paypal, patreon, and several other ways.

All the funds I raise online will be invested in the website; in the form of new caresheets, but also rewriting and updating the old caresheets (some are scheduled to be rewritten), my educational websites, Youtube, breeding projects, the study of moths andconservation programs.

Donate button (Liberapay; credit card and VISA accepted)

Donate button (PayPal)

Become a member of my Patreon (Patreon)

Find me on YouTube

Find me on Instagram