DISTRIBUTION:

Attacus caesar (wingspan: males: approximately 199-251mm; females: probably larger) flies in the Philippines: Leyte, Palawan, Mindanao, Balabac, Bohol, Cebu and Samar and possibly Papua New Guinea.

Attacus caesar male, Mt. Balocaue, Leyte, Philippines, 251mm, courtesy of Dave Rolfe.

Attacus caesar male, San Juan, Leyte, Philippines,
June 9, 1986, 199mm, courtesy of Dave Rolfe.

Attacus imperator is a synonym for Attacus caesar.

This species lacks the red dash near the forewing apex. The forewing postmedial line tends to be very straight and smooth except for the inward turn near the costa. The subterminal line is black on all wings.

Attacus caesar male courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

The females' hindwings tend to be somewhat elongated and females also have considerable deep red scaling in the submarginal area of the hindwings.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in all months except April and September-October.

Larvae feed on Annona squamosa, Artocarpus integer, Canangium odoratum=Cananga odorata, Citrus, Erythrina subumbrana, Ligustrum, Myrica cerifera, Persea americana, Persea pyriformis, Psidium guajava, Salix, Sandoricum koetjape, Swietenia mahogani and Syringa vulgaris. Jurgen Vanhoudt reports success with Ailanthus and Ligustrum.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in night-flying males.

Attacus caesar male courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

Attacus caesar female courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE: When Attacus caesar larvae first emerge, they are white with black markings. The head is black and the scoli are white with black hairs. First instar larva on privet courtesy of Alan Marson.

Larvae become a powdery (waxy) white as they move into the second instar. As in the first instar, larvae frequently rest on the central leaf vein with the head turned toward the abdomen, forming a "j-shape". There are some orange patches on the sides on the upper and lower abdomen. Second instar larva on privet courtesy of Alan Marson.

Larvae get large and chunky and pass through six instars. Freshly moulted larvae turn and devour the remains of their shedded skin.

Attacus caesar, 4th instar, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Attacus caesar, 5th instar, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Attacus caesar, 5th instar, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Attacus caesar, 6th instar, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Larval Food Plants

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

Ailanthus Annona squamosa Artocarpus integer Canangium odoratum Citrus Erythrina subumbrana......... Ligustrum Myrica cerifera Persea americana Persea pyriformis Prunus laurocerasus Salix Sandoricum koetjape Swietenia mahogani Syringa vulgaris

Tree of heaven Custard apple Jackfruit Ilang-ilang Citrus Kaffir boom Privet Southern bayberry/Waxmyrtle Avocado P. pyriformis English laurel/Cherry laurel Willow Sandoricum West Indian mahogany Lilac

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