DISTRIBUTION:

The Samia pryeri moth (forewing length: males: 60-70mm; females: 65-78mm) flies in the four main islands of Japan: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoko and Kyushu. Records also exist for the Ryukyu Islands and Tsushima. There are also reported populations in northeastern China (Heilongjiang).

The postmedian line bends significantly and is not intersected by the crescents. The black eyespot near the forewing apex is quite small. The rose area of the postmedial line, typical of so many species, is replaced by a dull purplish gray. The male forewing is strongly falcate.

The moth is named to honour Henry James Stover Pryor of Yokohama.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The species appears to be bivoltine with peak flights in May-June and August-September, with some of the early cocoons overwintering.

Larvae are probably polyphagous on native trees, and Ailanthus altissima, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Clerodendrum tricotomum, Firmiana platanifolia, Ilex rotunda, Ligustrum japonicum, Osmanthus fragrans, Paulownia tomentosa, Phellodendron amurense, Styrax japonica and Zanthoxylum ailanthoides are confirmed hosts.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The female begins scenting after dark by projecting a scent gland from the posterior tip of her abdomen. Males fly into the breeze and hone in on the pheromone plume via their highly developed and sensitive antennae.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on host foliage with incubation requiring eight to ten days.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Peigler's and Naumann's A Revision of the Silkmoth Genus Samia. 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 altissima Celtis sinensis Cinnamomum camphora Clerodendrum tricotomum Firmiana platanifolia Ilex rotunda Ligustrum japonicum Osmanthus fragrans Paulownia tomentosa Phellodendron amurense Styrax japonica Zanthoxylum ailanthoides.......

Ailanthus Japanese Hackberry Camphora Clerodendrum tricotomum Chinese parasoltree Round Leaf Holly Japanese Privet/Wax Leaf Privet Tea olive Empress tree/Princess tree Amur corktree Japanese snowbell Japanese prickly ash

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