Samia treadawayi
Naumann, 1998

Samia treadawayi (male), Palawan, Philippines, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

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:

The Samia treadawayi moth (forewing length: males: 58-59mm; females: 64-67mm) was recently classified in Palawan in the Philippines, where it is found in forested habitats, from sea-level to about 1000 m. Populations seem to be declining.

This is apparently the only Samia species from Palawan.

The costa blends with the basic dark brown ground colour of the median area. The forewing postmedian line is straight except for an indentation at the crescent. The hindwing pm line is undulating.

There is considerable suffusion of pink along the veins outward from the pm lines of all wings.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been taken in January-February-March-April, June-July-August, October-November-December. The species broods continuously but there are definite, seasonal peaks.

Larvae appear to be polyphagous on native trees.

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.

Flight activity usually begins around 11:00 pm with a definite peak about an hour before sunrise.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on host foliage with incubation requiring eight to ten days. Polyphagous larvae will consume any foliage in the vicinity.

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.

Polyphagous.......

eats everything

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