Page 373 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION From Nepal southeast through Myanmar and Thailand to
Vietnam, and south to Malaysia
HABITAT Mountain forests
HOST PLANTS Many, including Ailanthus spp. and Kashi Holly (Ilex chinensis)
NOTE Large, polyphagous caterpillar of the largest moth in Asia
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
Up to 9⅞ in (250 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
6 in (150 mm)
ARCHAEOATTACUS EDWARDSI
EDWARDS ATLAS SILKMOTH 371

WHITE, 1859

The Edwards Atlas Silkmoth caterpillar grows large, with the
ability to feed on a variety of plants in the wild. In captivity, it has
fed on ailanthus, privet (Ligustrum spp.), poplar (Populus spp.),
willow (Salix spp.), lilac (Syringa spp.), and other plants. The
rst instar is white with narrow black bands. Subsequent instars

are white and thickly covered in powdery wax, but the greenish
fifth and last instar is more lightly covered. Recent genetic
evidence suggests there are three species of Archaeoattacus
instead of two as previously believed, all from Asia.

Currently, the Edwards Atlas Silkmoth is placed evolutionarily
between the Ailanthus Silkmoth (Samia cynthia) and the Atlas The Edwards Atlas Silkmoth caterpillar is dull
Moth (Attacus atlas) because of its wing pattern. Moths from green and blue with darker, tiny, rounded spots,
the Rothschildia genus of the American tropics are smaller but and partially covered with white, powdery wax.
A large, reddish-brown, rounded triangle
similar, and, in Africa, related species are represented by the decorates each clasper. Long, eshy, blue
genus Epiphora. The caterpillars of these genera all have similar horns are bent toward the rear. The larva’s
head is dull green and its feet are blue.
characteristics and spin papery silk cocoons.

Actual size