Coscinocera anteus

Updated as per personal communication (wingspan and images) with Johnny Marchant, April 8, 2007
Updated as per personal communication with Dave Rolfe (October flight, male wingspan: 167mm), February 2009
Updated as per personal communication with Anthony Darby/Alan Marson (Ligustrum ovatum (privet)), April 2009

DISTRIBUTION:

Coscinocera anteus (wingspan: males: approximately 165-167mm; females: approximately 190mm) flies in
Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The moth depicted to the right has black spots on the tails, the antennae are huge and the locality is Moenanami, Irian.

This species is generally found at higher altitudes of 2000-3000m.

Coscinocera anteus male courtesy of Greg Lewallen.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Little is known. Dave Rolfe reports an October flight in Papua New Guinea. Moths may be on the wing in other months as well.

Coscinocera anteus male, Papua New Guinea, 165mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

Coscinocera anteus female, Papua New Guinea, 190mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

ECLOSION:
Moths wiggle their way out an escape valve in double-walled cocoons and then hang to inflate their wings.
Cocoon image courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Coscinocera anteus fifth instar on privet, courtesy of Anthony Darby for Alan Marson.

Visit Coscinocera anteus eggs and all instars, Papua New Guinea, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre, eggs from Viktor Sinyaev.

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.

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Coscinocera anteus
Bouvier, 1928

Coscinocera anteus male, June 2009, courtesy of Anthony Darby.

DISTRIBUTION:

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Coscinocera anteus male, Papua New Guinea, 165mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

Coscinocera anteus female, Papua New Guinea, 190mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

ECLOSION:

Moths wiggle their way out an escape valve in double-walled cocoons and then hang to inflate their wings.
Cocoon image courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in males by emitting pheromones. The males tend to be slightly smaller than the females, but have more vibrant colouration and longer "tails".

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larval Food Plants

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Coscinocera anteus Bouvier, 1928

Coscinocera anteus male, June 2009, courtesy of Anthony Darby.

DISTRIBUTION:

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Coscinocera anteus male, Papua New Guinea, 165mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant. Coscinocera anteus female, Papua New Guinea, 190mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

ECLOSION:

Moths wiggle their way out an escape valve in double-walled cocoons and then hang to inflate their wings. Cocoon image courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in males by emitting pheromones. The males tend to be slightly smaller than the females, but have more vibrant colouration and longer "tails".

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larval Food Plants

Ligustrum ....... (AD/AM)

Privet

Support this website and visit other insect sites by clicking flashing butterfly links to left or right.

Coscinocera anteus
Bouvier, 1928

Coscinocera anteus male, Papua New Guinea, 165mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

Coscinocera anteus female, Papua New Guinea, 190mm, courtesy of Johnny Marchant.

Moths wiggle their way out an escape valve in double-walled cocoons and then hang to inflate their wings.
Cocoon image courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

Support this website and visit other insect sites by
clicking flashing butterfly links to left or right.