DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia sandimasiana (wingspan: males: 125-143mm: females: 125mm // forewing length: males: 70-76mm; females: mm) flies in
Mexico: Durango, at elevations of 1920m.

It probably also flies in Potrerillos, Sinaloa, Mexico, at elevations near 1450m, based on images supplied by Kelly Price and Philippe Brems.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in July-August. There are probably additional flight months, including June in Sinaloa.

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

Jim Brady has confirmed success rearing them on Ligustrum.

Rothschildia sandimasiana male, reared on Ligustrum,
Durango, Mexico, courtesy of Jim Brady.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Rothschildia sandimasiana in copula, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana??? female, 120mm, Potrerillos, Sinaloa, Mexico,
June, 2015, 1450m, courtesy of Philippe Brems.

Rothschildia sandimasiana female, Durango, Mexico,
reared on privet (Ligustrum), courtesy of Jim Brady.

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 sandimasiana first instars, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana first instars, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana second instars, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana third instars, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana fourth or fifth instar, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Rothschildia sandimasiana cocoon, Durango, Mexico,
reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Jim Brady.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Ailanthus altissima ....... Ligustrum (JB) Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet Oak Common lilac

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Return to Rothschildia Index

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

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

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a male contempory/friend/collector/etc.

The genus name "Rothschildia" probably was chosen to honour W. Rothschild.

The species name "sandimasiana" indicates a specimen type locale in San Dimas, Durango, Mexico.

Rothschildia sandimasiana male, HT, 143mm, Durango, Mexico,
on my home computer only.