Saturniidae of Ireland

In Ireland, Saturnia pavonia is known from the Mongan Bog east of the village of Clonmacnoise, about 33km northwest of the town of Tullamore, in northwest County Offaly, central Ireland.

Its range in Ireland is probably throughout the country wherever natural hosts, [heather, heath and hawthorn (western range)], can be found.

Larva have been seen in Dłn Aonghas, Aran Island, Ireland, on August 23, 2000.

Male Saturnia pavonia. Photo by Mario Maier.

Breeders are able to locate females by following the day-flying males to the source of attraction. To the left, a male has "met his match". Females remain coupled with males until nightfall when they seperate, begin flight, and deposit their eggs. Females tend to be very plump relative to their wingsize. The males tend to be more colourful with orange lower wings, while females have beige or tan lower wings. Many report it is difficult to capture the fast flying males until they "brake" in close proximity to a calling female.

Home of the fairies and the 'little people', Ireland, or the Emerald Isle is damp enough to foster "fifty shades of green". The west coast is elevated cliffs, hills and mountains while most of central Ireland is flat farmland or raised bogs. Before the great famine in 1845-47, the pressure on the land to feed Ireland's growing population was enormous and even the most inaccessible places were farmed. As a result of the extensive agricultural land need and use, only 1% of the native oak forests, which once covered Ireland, remain. Most of Ireland was "clear cut" and used for growing food. Despite its northern latitude, Ireland's climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream, bringing in Caribbean balminess. The temperature only drops below freezing intermittently during the winter, and snow is scarce. Summers aren't terribly warm, rarely hitting 30° C (86° F); they're comfortable, and it stays light until around 11 pm.

Northern Ireland is considered part of the British Isles/United Kingdom, but does not host the species Aglia tau found in other areas.

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