Page 427 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION Small area east of Lima, Peru
HABITAT High desert, scattered shrubs at 6,600–9,850 ft
(2,000–3,000 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Jatropha (Jatropha spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar that lives at high altitude
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
3¾ in (95 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3 in (75 mm)
ROTHSCHILDIA AMOENA
ROTHSCHILDIA AMOENA 425

JORDAN, 1911

The Rothschildia amoena caterpillar lives in a cold climate high
on the Pacific slope of the Andes near the coast. Its range is
limited to the range of its host plant, a succulent species of
jatropha bush, which grows in a limited, mostly rainless, humid
desert area with sparse vegetation. Rothschildia amoena, unlike
other Rothschildia species, has black, heat-absorbing skin, which
is helpful for energy and digestion at high altitude. Less mature
instars of R. amoena have orange tubercles, armed with harmless
bristles, on all segments.

The species belongs to a subfamily of silkmoths, the Attacinae,
and thus is closely related to the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)
of Asia and the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) of North
America. The caterpillars of this subfamily do not sting, are

usually smooth to the touch, generally have ve instars, and
spin strong cocoons.

Actual size
The Rothschildia amoena caterpillar is
black with short, white hairs that create a
halo e ect around its body. The prominent
spiracles are orange, and the boldly banded
true legs, prolegs, and head are all orange
and black. The pro le is very plump.