Cricula acuta
Updated as per Nachr. entomol. Ver. Apollo, N. F. 38 (4): 169–180 (2017); courtesy of Stefan Naumann; February 4, 2019

Cricula acuta
Stefan Naumann, Wolfgang A. Nässig and Swen Löffler, 2017

Cricula acuta HT female, Kontum, Kon Tum. Vietnam,
78mm, May 2013, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Genus: Cricula, Walker, 1855

DISTRIBUTION:

Cricula acuta (wingspan: males: ??; females: 78mm) flies in Vietnam: Kon Tum: Kontum at elevations near 1600-1800m.

The female forewing usually has two fenestrae, but occasionally there are three. The female Cricula acuta is similar to females of C. jordani Bryk, 1944 from Myanmar, Kachin State, and females of C. schintlmeisteri Naumann & Löffler, 2010 from northern Vietnam. While females of C. jordani are larger and have more Fw. fenestrae, those of C. schintlmeisteri are smaller and more reddish coloured, but also share only two Fw. fenestrae.

Etymology: named after the very sharp forewing apices of the females. Males are unknown as of this writing.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The Holotype female was taken May, 2013. Specimens have also been taken in April and June.

Larvae will probably accept fruit tree foliage: apple, cherry, pear, possibly Liquidambar.

Cricula acuta HT female, Kontum, Kon Tum. Vietnam,
78mm, May 2013, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen to call in the males.

Males use well-developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone. Possibly the males fly at dusk or dawn as they are not as often encountered at lightts.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Immature stages are unknown as of this writing.

Larval Food Plants


It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated?? foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Liquidambar ....... ??

Sweetgum

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