Saturniidae of Potugal

Male Saturnia pyri. Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Three saturniidae species are genrally listed for Portugal.

Saturnia ligurica

Saturnia pyri

Detailed range descriptions for Saturniidae populations within Portugal are listed below:

Concerning Saturniidae in his native Portugal, Eduardo Marabuto writes, "Just a note: Aglia tau is absent from Portugal until any information proves the opposite. Its foodplant is mostly beech (Fagus sylvatica) and nowadays there are no natural forests of this species in Portugal (but 10000 years ago there were). The only Saturniidae present in Portugal are Saturnia pyri (widespread) and Saturnia pavonia ligurica (or whatever), limited to the northern half of the country."

Saturnia ligurica flies in Portugal from February until April. It is most often encountered in orchards, fallows and gardens.

Saturnia pyri flies from March until June. This species is also likely to be found in orchards, as larvae feed on fruit tree foliage.

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