TAXONOMY:

Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802
Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, [1837] 1834
Genus: Antheraea, Hubner 1819
Subgenus: Antheraeopsis, Wood-Mason, 1886

DISTRIBUTION:

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana (wingspan: 115-160mm) flies in Taiwan: Taroko National Park in Hulien County; Fushan Botanical Garden in Yilan County; and probably in other locations, especially Hainan Island, China.

Alan Marson writes, "I understand that A. formosana also occurs in Yunnan, China, and is sometimes difficult to distinguish from A. assamensis. The foodplant of A. formosana is given as Cinnamomum which makes sense from my investigations."

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana male, Fushan Botanical Garden, Yilan County, Taiwan,
October 5, 2010, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana female, Fushan Botanical Garden, Yilan County, Taiwan,
May 31, 2010, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Adults are on the wing from March until October, probably as three or four broods annually. Bettaman confirms May and October flights in Yilan County, Taiwan.

Larvae are reported to feed on Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora).

Antheraeopsis formosana Taiwan, mid August, courtesy of Wayne Hsu

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone. The forewings of the female (right) are much less falcate than those of the male.

Antheraeopsis formosana, female Taiwan, mid August, courtesy of Wayne Hsu

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae of Antheraeopsis formosana resemble others of the genus Antheraea. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana early instar, Fushan Botanical Garden,
Yilan County, Taiwan, June 15, 2011, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana early instar, Fushan Botanical Garden,
Yilan County, Taiwan, June 15, 2011, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana fourth or fifth instar, Fushan Botanical Garden,
Yilan County, Taiwan, June 1, 2011, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana fifth instar, Fushan Botanical Garden,
Yilan County, Taiwan, June 1, 2011, 700m, courtesy of Bettaman.

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.

Cinnamomum camphora.....

Camphor

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Roger Kendrick sent me the image below (for id help) from Hainan Island, China, west-southwest of Taiwan. Initially I thought it was Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) assamensis, but a response from Stefan Naumann indicates it is more likely Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana. Stefan also indicates a revision of this subgenus is probably needed. I suspect some of the names utilized will be synonymized.

Antheraea (Antheraeopsis) formosana, female, Hainan Island, China, courtesy of Roger Kendrick.

The image is posted on my home computer only, as usage is limited by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.