DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia jorulla lichtenba flies in Mexico: Oaxaca, Chiapas.

According to Chris Conlan, "Lichtenba is a beautiful subspecies of R. jorulla that can be very common in coastal Oaxaca and Chiapas sometimes but it is not well known either and rather rare in collections."

This subspecies has wider wings than nominate jorulla. Post medial lines are also broader and less deeply indented.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species will probably accept Ligustrum (privet), Prunus (cherry) and maybe lilac, ailanthus and oak.

Rothschildia jorulla lichtenba male, Oaxaca, Mexico,
copyright Peter Jakubek.

Rothschildia jorulla lichtenba female, Oaxaca, Mexico,
copyright Peter Jakubek.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Like most of the Rothschildia, except for the diurnal zacateca, this species calls and pairs at night.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. A strong peduncle with a few support silk strands secures the structure while the larva continues "padding its nest" with a continuous back-and-forth movement of the head.

There are both inner and outer cocoons, each with a relatively long valve to facilitate eclosions.

Rothschildia jorulla lichtenba fifth instar,
Mexico, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter.

Rothschildia jorulla lichtenba fifth instar,
Mexico, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel and Viktor Suter.

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.

Ailanthus altissima..... Ligustrum Prunus Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet Cherry Oak Common lilac

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

"Rothschildia" is chosen to honour one of the Rothschilds, possibly William.

I do not know the etymology of the species name, jorulla, but there is a volcano called El Jorullo in Mexico.

I do not know the origin of the subspecies name lichtenba.

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