Samia ricini
Anonymous

Samia ricini courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Tribe: Attacini, Blanchard, 1840 Genus: Samia, Hubner, 1819

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DISTRIBUTION:

Samia ricini, which flies in southern Asia and wherever it has been imported for silk production (climatic conditions allowing), is slightly smaller and considerably darker than Samia cynthia, the species introduced into eastern U.S. to try to establish a commercial silk industry. S. ricini also has extensive white scales on the abdomen, and the ground colour of the postmedial area to the subterminal line tends to be very dark.

The larvae of this silkmoth are called eri silkworms. They have been used quite extensively in the production of coarse silk.

The specimen above is probably from northern Italy where introduced populations survive.

Pupae cannot survive freezing temperatures and larvae do not due well under dry conditions.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species breeds continuously, and, to my knowledge, cannot be induced to an overwintering diapause.

In their natural environment ricini prefer Manihot esculenta (Cassava/Tapioca plant) and Ricinus communis (Castor-oil bean). In captivity larvae will feed on willow, ailanthus, and cherry. Matthew J. Campbell reports rearing success on Escallonia.

Samia ricini (female), India, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Moths eclose in the late morning or early afternoon and mate very readily even in the smallest of enclosures.

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:

In captivity, almost pure-white eggs are frequently deposited in clusters on the insides of brown paper bags as females carry large numbers (400+) of relatively small eggs. John Marchant indicates eggs can incubate as long as 17-19 days at room temperature. These first istar larvae on underside of privet leaf are higly gregarious. Photos by Valentino.

Larvae are gregarious in early instars and become more solitary as they move into 3rd instar (bottom larva). There is little difference between ricini and advena larvae. Ricini will tolerate a great deal of crowding and like warm temperatures.

Samia ricini third instars, courtesy of Alex Baranowsky.

In the final instar, larval legs and "feet" are quite colourful. Some larvae take on more blue colour than others. Image courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Cocoons of S. ricini (top) tend to be much lighter in colour than those of S. c. advena. Sometimes the silk is almost pure white and is very soft, almost cottony. Ricini cocoons are also of a much less dense construction than those of advena which are usually leaf-wrapped and remain affixed to leaf stems throughout the winter. Scan by Bill Oehlke

Rainer Plontke sent this image of a fourth instar larva from Toscana, Italy. Larvae are being reared on Prunus laurocerasus.

Samia ricini courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

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 Cinchona Cinnamomum cecidodaphne ....... Escallonia (MJC) Manihot esculenta Prunus Prunus laurocerasus (RP) Ricinus communis Salix

Chinese Tree of Heaven Quinine Sugandha kokila Escallonia Cassava Cherry Cherry laurel Castor-oil bean Willow

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