China is a very large country, exhibiting varied topography and climate. This nation is divided into provinces, and I will attempt to create a checklist for each province. The greatest diversity exists in the southern regions and eastern coastal regions.

As of March 2005, I am not aware of any single publication that lists all the Chinese Saturniidae species with their respective ranges.

The checklists below will consist of interpolations/extrapolations and best guesses. The lists will undoubtedly have improper inclusions and many omissions, but over time should become quite accurate and helpful.

Fvery bit of information helps. If you 1) have specimens in collection with collecting data, 2) have publication information for described species, 3) have knowledge of collectors/suppliers who might be able to provide accurate information, please forward that information to Bill Oehlke

I have divided the country into three sections, western China, northeastern China and southeastern China.

Western China

For the province of Xizang, those species marked in red are from a list compiled by Wolfgang A. Nässig for Nepal. I do not know whether or not those species fly north of Nepal into southwestern China (Tibet). Probably some do and some don't.

Xinjiang Anther-opsis assamensis Neoris haraldi AT Neoris soliczkana AT Saturnia pavonia WO Most of Xinjiang has a desert climate and would not be hospitable to many Saturniidae species. Winters are long and cold; summers are short and hot. The average rainfall is only six inches/year. The much more extensive list for Xizang is mostly comprised of species that would likely only be present in the southern most reaches of that province, bordering Nepal, Bhutan and India. Below are the two or three species reported from Xinjiang. Some taxonomies equate Neoris haraldi and Neoris soliczkana, which is also considered a synonym of Neoris huttoni shadulla.

Xizang=Tibet Actias heterogyna ** Actias maenas WO A. s. ningpoana RP Anth. fri. javanensis WO Antheraea helferi WO? Archae. edwardsii WO Cricula drepanoides ** C. trifenestrata WO Loepa anthera RP Loepa damartis ** Loepa katinka WO Loepa melli Loepa thibeta SN Loepa xizangensis RB Rhodinia davidi SO Rhodinia newara WO* Rinaca anna WO Rinaca bonita TP tibetanna Rinaca zuleika WO Salassa lola WO Salassa olivacea ** Salassa thespis ** Salassa tibaliva ** Samia canningi RP Samia kohlli RP Samia ricini RP Samia watsoni RP Saturnia pavonia WO ? Most of the indicated species would be from southern portions of Xizang, near borders with Nepal and Bhutan.

Qinghai Aglia tau ferenigra ** Caligula b. fallax ** Caligula chinghaina ** Rhodinia davidi ** The average elevation is more than 3,000 meters above sea level, while 54 percent of the area is between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. The province is divided into the Qilian Mountains, the Qaidam Basin, and the Qingnan Plateau. Most of the grassy plain/plateau is quite dry. I would not expect many Saturniidae species to be present in this province. Summers are short and cool; winters are long and cold!

Northeastern China

I have further subdivided northeastern China into three regions, the Mountainous West, the North China Plain and Manchuria.

Most of the north central provinces are high and dry.

Shaanxi Province's climate is temperate and semi-arid in the north and subtropical and humid in the south. Annual average temperature of Shaanxi is between 8C and 16C and its annual rainfall averages from 400 millimeters to 1000 millimeters. The winters are cold and summer is often rainy. Things are looking up for the Saturniidae.

Shanxi does not extend as far south and, being at a high altitude, Shanxi Province has a cold and dry climate and has an annual rainfall of between 400-600 millimeters. The province is also frequently plagued by sandstorms, especially in the spring. I do not expect there to be many Saturniidae there.

There is a dramatic increase in the northeastern "coastal" provinces with their more moderate climates.

Mountainous West

Nei Monggol A. tau amurensis WO ? Caligula b. fallax WO Neoris haraldi WO ? Rhodinia fugax WO Saturnia pyretorum WO Nei Monggol is mostly rugged mountains and high plateau with a very dry climate. I would not expect to find many Saturniidae species there.

Ningxia A. tau amurensis WO ? C. b. fallax WO ? Neoris haraldi WO ? Rhodinia fugax WO Most of Ningxia is above 1000m. The country is very mountainous with long cold winters and short hot summers.

Gansu Actias dubernardi FR Aglia tau amurensis TP C. boisduvali fallax ** Loepa damartis SN* Loepa melli Loepa taipeishanis Neoris haraldi ** Rhodinia davidi WO Samia cynthia ** Saturnia pyretorum ** Rinaca minshanensis Gansu is mostly high plateau (1000m-3000m) and very dry except for southeastern area where it is warm and humid

Shaanxi Actias arianeae RB A. ning. ningtaibaishana A. shaanxiana RB Aglia homora WO ? Aglia tau amurensis TP C. b. fallax WO ?* Caligula japonica WO C. tsinlingshanis TK Loepa damartis SN* Loepa melli Loepa meyi SN* Loepa oberthuri ** Neoris haraldi ** Rhodinia davidi CRBP Rh. jankowskii CRBP Rinaca kitchingi RB R. thibeta arctica EVS R. winbrechlini RB Rhodinia jankowskii Rhodinia silkae Salassa arianae Salassa thespis ** Samia wangi RP Samia watsoni RP Saturnia pyretorum ** Saturnia taibaishanis chinensis luteoshaanxiana kitchingi shaanxiana tsinlingshanis winbrechlini

Shanxi Actias art. aliena WO? Aglia tau ferenigra ** C. boisduvali fallax ** Rhodina fugax WO Rh. jankowskii WO Samia cynthia RP The high altitude and cold and dry climate with an annual rainfall of between 400-600 millimeters does not make a very hospitable environment for Saturniidae. The province is also frequently plagued by sandstorms.

North China Plain

Hebei (Beijing) Actias dubernardi Juani Actias ningpoana ** Ag. t. amurensis Juani Antheraea pernyi Juani Caligula boisduvali BJ* C. b. fallax WO ?* Caligula japonica ** Caligula t. arctica Juani Loepa damartis Juani Loepa katinka ** Loepa wlingana WO? Rhodinia fugax ** Rh. jankowskiiWO Samia cynthia RP/Juani Saturnia pyretorum BJ chinghaina

Shandong Actias art. aliena WO? Actias ningpoana WO ? Antheraea pernyi WO Attacus atlas ? Caligula japonica ** Rhodinia fugax ** Samia cynthia RP Samia ricini RP Saturnia pyretorum RP

Anhui Loepa katinka ** Samia cynthia ** Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorum RP ?

Henan A. selene ningpoana Antheraea pernyi WO Loepa sinjaevi VS L. obscuromarginata SN Rhodinia fugax ** Samia cynthia ** Saturnia pyretorum **

Jiangsu Actias artemis aliena ** Antheraea pernyi WO Samia canningi ** Samia watsoni **

Manchuria

Heilongjiang Actias artemis RP Aglia tau amurensis WO Antheraea pernyi WO Antheraea yamamai RP* C. boisduvali fallax TK Caligula japonica RP Rhodinia fugax WO Rh. jankowskii Z&W Samia cynthia RP* Samia pryeri ** Saturnia pavonia ** Saturnia pyretorum **

Jilin Actias artemis WO ?* A. selene ningpoana ** Aglia tau amurensis WO Antheraea pernyi WO C. boisduvali fallax WO* Caligula japonica ** Rhodinia fugax WO Rh. jankowskii WO Samia cynthia WO Saturnia pyretorum **

Liaoning Actias s. ningpoana WO Aglia tau amurensis WO Antheraea pernyi WO C. boisduvali fallax ** Caligula japonica ** Rhodinia fugax ** R. jankowskii Z&W Samia cynthia RP Saturnia pyretorum **

Southeastern China

I have further subdivided southeastern China into three categories, the Yangtze River Basin, the Southern Coast and Special to include Taiwan and Yunnan.

Yunnan and Sichuan, followed by Guangdong, have the most diversified Saturniidae populations.

"Yunnan Province is a continuation of the Tibetan plateau, and occupies an area of 394,000 square kilometres, similar in size to the US State of Califonia. With the Himalayas dominating the north, and the equatorial tropics warming the southern areas, the features are diverse and spectacular. Yunnan shares a western border with Myanmar, and a southern border with Laos and Vietnam.

"Two geographically different region are divided by the Ai-lao Mountains: a limestone plateau to the east, and a mountainous area with serveral peaks above 5,000 metres, to the west. The highest point is the 6,740 metre Kagebo Peak on the Yunnan-Tibet border. The elevation of the eastern plateau varies from 2,130 metres its western end, to 1,370 metres on the Kweichow border, where intermontane basins and broad fertile valleys facilitate intensive farming.

"About 30 percent of the land area is forested, and is home to a large variety of flora and fauna.

Yunnan's varied and diverse climate means that, while Kunming enjoys pleasant spring-like weather for most of the year, the elevated eastern plateau experiences warm summers and mild winters, and the climate can change substantially during a journey of just a few kilometres. To the west, the valley floors and lower slopes of this mountainous area enjoy warm humid weather, while a temperate zone stands between 2,000 to 3,000 metres, and ice and snow envelop the high summits. Monsoons off the Pacific and Indian oceans provide adequate rainfall, with May through October the wettest months." It is not hard to understand why Yunnan has the highest number of reported species.

"Sichuan Province, located in southwest China, is one of the largest and most inaccessible provinces in the nation. This province covers an area of 485,000 kilometers (187,000 miles) and boasts the largest population in China, with 87 million people.

"Sichuan is bordered by the Tibetan Plateau in the west and by the Three Gorges and the Yangtze River in the east. The eastern part of the Sichuan basin is ringed by lofty mountains and experiences a subtropical and humid climate. The western part is considered the highland area and experiences frequent fog with intense sunlight, but low temperatures. The annual rainfall in this province is 1000 millimeters and the average annual temperature is 16.5C."

The diversified topography and warm conditions favour Saturniidae.

Chonqing is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China's four provincial-level municipalities, and the only one in the less densely populated western half of China. Formerly (until 14 March 1997) a provincial city within eastern Sichuan Province, the municipality of Chongqing has a registered population of 31,442,300 (2005). Weiwei Zhang collects in Chongqing and reports 23-24 species in that municipality.

"Guangdong has a subtropical climate. Summer can be sweltering hot and wet. Winters are warm. Typhoon hit this province frequently in summer and autumn.

"Annual rainfall averages nearly 1500-2000 millimeters and annual temperature averages 19C - 26C.

The whole province is green all the year round and is seething with life everywhere. It favours the tropical Saturniidae species.

Yangtze River Basin

Sichuan Actias dubernardi WO * Actias felicis Actias kongjiaria ** A. s. ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP Actias vanschaycki Aglia homora WO ? Aglia ingens SN Aglia tau amurensis TP Aglia tau ferenigra Antheraea pernyi WO Antheraea yamamai CP Archaeo. watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica CP Caligula simla ** C. tsinlingshanis SN Cricula andrei ** Cricula sichuana RB C. trifenestrata ** Loepa anthera ** Loepa damartis SN L. damartis szechwana ** Loepa elongata SN Loepa katinka IS L. kuangtungensis BL Loepa melli Loepa oberthuri BL Rhodinia davidi SO R. szechuanensis WO Rinaca anna ** Rinaca dusii Rinaca florianii Rinaca ruda Rinaca saldaitisi Rinaca sinanna Rinaca winbrechlini VS Rinaca zuleika ** Salassa olivacea ** Salassa thespis ** Samia ricini RP Samia wangi RP Saturnia p. lucifera ** Solus sichuanus RB

Guizhou Actias dubernardi WO Actias s. ningpoana WO* Antheraea pernyi WO Archaeos. watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica WO* Cricula trifenestrata ** Loepa anthera WO* Loepa katinka WO* Loepa microocellata SN Loepa oberthuri WO Rhodinia jankowskii Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorum RP Saturnia sinjaevi WO

Jiangxi A. artemis aliena ** A. felicis SK Actias ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP Actias uljanae RB Archaeos. watsoni RP* Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica BL Loepa katinka ** Loepa melli Loepa microocellata WO Loepa oberthuri ** L. obscuromarginata SN Rhodinia rudloffi TK?* Sal. extremorientalis SN Samia cynthia RP Samia wangi RP* Saturnia pyretorum **

Hubei A. angulocaudata RW* Actias dubernardi ** Actias s. ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP Antheraea pernyi WO Archaeos. watsoni RP Caligula japonica WO* Loepa damartis ** Loepa melli Loepa microocellata FR Loepa oberthuri ** L. obscuromarginata SN Rhodinia fugax ** Salassa thespis ** Samia wangi RP ? Saturnia pyretorum RP

Hunan Actias chapae TK Actias dubernardi JH Actias s. ningpoana RP Antheraea pernyi WO Attacus atlas RP Archaeos. watsoni RP* Caligula japonica ** Cricula trifenestrata ** C. vietnama hunana RB Loepa microocellata WO Loepa oberthuri ** L. obscuromarginata SN Rinaca nanlingensis Sal. extremorientalis SN Samia wangi RP* Saturnia pyretorum RP Saturnia sinjaevi RB

Southern Coast

I suspect the species list for Guangxi and Zhejiang should contain many more entries.

Hainan Actias heterogyna ** Actias ningpoana RP Actias ning. ninghainana Actias sinensis UP Antheraeo. formosana RK Antheraea frithi UP ? Antheraea harndti Archaeos. watsoni ** Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica ** Caligula simla ** Caligula thibeta WZ Cricula trifenestrata ** Loepa anthera ** Loepa damartis ** Loepa katinka ** Loepa oberthuri ** Rinaca anna ** Sal. extremorientalis SN Salassa shuyiae WZ Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorumWZ

Guangxi Actias chapae WO Actias dubernardi WO * Actias felicis SK Actias guangxiana Actias heterogyna RK Actias rhodopneuma ** Actias s. ningpoana WO Actias sinensis MJ Actias uljanae RB Anther. assamensis WO* Archaeos. watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica ** Cricula andrei WO* Cricula trifenestrata ** Cricula variabilis Loepa anthera ** Loepa katinka ** Loepa microocellata SN Loepa oberthuri ** L. obscuro. EVS* Rhodinia rudloffi TK?* Rinaca anna ** Rinaca naumanni WO ? Samia canningi RP ? Samia kohlli RP Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorum RP Saturnia cognata VSi Saturnia sinjaevi WO

Guangdong (Hong Kong) A. dubernardi GNNNR Actias chapae GNNNR Actias felicis SK Actias heterogyna BJ Actias ningpoana RP A. rhodopneuma WO ?? Actias sinensis RP Actias uljanae RB Antheraea frithi BL* Anth. assamensis ** A. pernyi RK (rare) ? A. y. titan UP* Archaeos. watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Cricula andrei ** Cricula trifenestrata ** Loepa anthera ** Loepa damartis ** Loepa katinka RK ? L. kuangtungensis AM* Loepa microocellata ML* L. obscuromarginata SN Loepa sikkima RK ?* Rhodinia grigauti WO ? Rhodinia rudloffi SK Rhodinia verecunda FR ?? Rinaca anna ** Rinaca japonica ** Rinaca naumanni WO ? Rinaca nanlingensis Rinaca thibeta GNNNR Sal. extremorientalis SN Samia ricini RP Samia kohlli RP Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorum RP Saturnia sinjaevi FR

Fujian Actias dubernardi WO Actias rhodopneuma ** Actias s. ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP ? A. chengtuana UP Archaeos. watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Caligula simla ** Loepa anthera ** Loepa damartis AVV Loepa katinka ** ? L. microocellata SN Loepa oberthuri ** Rinaca fujiana RB Rinaca thibeta ** Sal. extremorientalis SN Salassa thespis ** Samia cynthia ** Saturnia pyretorum RP

Zhejiang (Shanghai) Actias dubernardi * Actias s. ningpoana RP Antheraea pernyi ** Archaeosam. watsoni RP* Loepa katinka ** Rhodinia fugax WO Samia canningi ** Samia cynthia RP Samia wangi RP* Saturnia p. cognata **

Special Areas

Yunnan shows the greatest diversity with regard to number of Saturniidae species. Because of Sichuan's close proximity, similar topography and climate, I have repeated its display. There are many species common to both provinces, and I suspect several of the species reported for Yunnan will also be found in Sichuan, although it is further north.

Taiwan has its own special climate and reports some species and subspecies, which may or may not be valid, not reported elsewhere. Peigler equates Attacus atlas formosanus with the nominate species.

Sichuan Actias dubernardi WO * Actias kongjiaria ** Actias ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP Actias vanschaycki Aglia homora WO ? Aglia ingens SN Aglia tau amurensis TP Aglia tau ferenigra Antheraea pernyi WO Antheraea yamamai CP Archaeosamia watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Caligula japonica CP Caligula simla ** C. tsinlingshanis SN Cricula andrei ** C. trifenestrata ** Loepa anthera ** Loepa damartis SN L. damartis szechwana ** Loepa elongata SN Loepa katinka IS L. kuangtungensis BL Loepa melli Loepa oberthuri BL Rhodinia davidi SO R. szechuanensis WO Rinaca anna ** Rinaca winbrechlini VS Rinaca zuleika ** Salassa olivacea ** Salassa thespis ** Samia ricini RP Samia wangi RP Saturnia p. lucifera ** So. p. sichuanus RB

Chongqing Actias dubernardi WO? A. s. ningpoana WO? Actias sinensis WO? Antheraea pernyi WZ Archaeosamia watsoni WO? Attacus atlas WO? Caligula japonica WO? C. trifenestrata WO? Loepa damartis WO? Loepa oberthuri WO? Rhodinia fugax WZ Rhodinia jankowskii WZ Samia wangi WO? Saturnia p. lucifera WO? Chongqing, until 1997, was a part of eastern Sichuan Province. Weiwei Zhang collects in this area and reports at least 23-24 Saturniidae species. I will add to the list as species are reported.

Yunnan A. chrisbrechlinae RB Actias isis ?** Actias maenas ** Actias ningpoana RP Actias rhodopneuma Actias sinensis RP Actias winbrechlini RB Anther. assamensis ** Anther. castanea SN Antheraea caypta ** Anth. fri. javanensis ** Antheraea pernyi WO Anth. p. yunnanensis ** Antheraea roylii CP Antheraea yamamai ** Archae. edwardsii WZ Archaeosamia watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Cricula andrei ** Cricula drepanoides ** Cricula flavogena ** Cricula jordani BL * Cricula trifenestrataCP Cricula zubsiana WN L. l. aureopeplus BL/AM Loepa anthera WO Loepa damartis SN Loepa diffundata BL Loepa elongata SN Loepa katinka WO Loepa oberthuri ** Loepa siamensis siamensis ? Loepa sikkima CP Loepa yunnana SN Rhodinia broschi TK Rhodinia grigauti RW Rhodinia newara CP R. tensingyatsoi RW Rinaca anna diversa CP Rinaca cachara CP Rinaca simla CP Rinaca thibeta CP Rinaca yunnana Rinaca zuleika CP Salassa mesosa AM Salassa olivacea ** Salassa thespis CP Samia canningi RP Samia kohlli RP Samia wangi RP Saturnia bieti SO Saturnia sinjaevi WO algisrimasi Sinobirma malaisei RR Solus p. gabaidanus WO So. p. parvifenestratus RB So. p. sichuanus RB Syntherata loepoides **

Taiwan A. heterogyna subaurea Actias neidhoeferi ? Actias s. ningpoana RP Actias sinensis RP Antheraea formosana Antheraea pernyi Archaeosamia watsoni RP Attacus atlas RP Attacus atlas formosanus Caligula japonica ** Caligula thibeta okurai Loepa k. formosensis WH Loepa mirandula SN Rhodinia verecunda Samia ricini Samia wangi RP Saturnia pyretorum UP

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AT = Andrey Timchenko
AVV = Alan van Vaive
BJ = Beijing Bug
BL = Butterfly Lepidoptera
CP = Clive Pratt
EVS = Eric van Schayck
IS = Insect Trade
JH = Jean Haxaire
ML = Michel Lapointe
RB = Ronald Brechlin
RK = Roger Kendrick
RP = Richard Peigler
RR = Rodolphe Rougerie
RW = Robert Westphal
SN = Stefan Naumann
SO = Shin-ichi Osama
TK = Teemu Klemetti
TP = Tony Pittaway
UP = Ulrich Paukstadt
WH = Wayne Hsu
WN = Wolfgang Nassig
WO = William Oehlke
WZ = Weiwei Zhang

** = FSI, for not previously listed; other initials followed by * indicate I feel the species is present although not listed in FSI = Fauna Sinica Insect Vol. 5 Insecta

The FSI plates are available online at http://monkey.ioz.ac.cn/fauna/fauna/kunchong/19.html with plates 4-12 depicting Saturniidae. FSI does not always use the same Chinese characters in the text as it does on the plates and tables, but the volume is a great start for the fauna of China. Several newly described species, not included in the text (1996), are reported above.

Unknown areas of China:

chinensis China