DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia condor (wingspan: males; approximately 115mm; females: probably larger) flies in
Bolivia: Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and probably ??? in Chuquisaca, Tarija and Potosi; and
Argentina: Tucuman, Jujuy (NV), probably Salta; at moderate to high elevations, 1100-2600m.

Rothschildia condor male, Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina,
115mm, November 26, 2008, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

R. condor has been placed in the subgroup of six species characterized by 1) two longitudinal white stripes on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, 2) two or three subapical spots on the forewing: jacobaeae; condor; tucumani; erycina; belus; hopfferi, and 3) a white prothoracic collar.

Jacobaeae, condor and tucumani have large rounded spots, while those of erycina, belus and hopfferi are narrow triangles.

R. condor has a very dark brown to black ground colour, distinguishing it from jacobaeae and tucumani. Condor has narrow hyaline regions and three relatively large subapical spots.

Rothschildia condor male, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Nigel Venters reports a flight from mid October to late November in Tucuman, Argentina at 2000m. He also reports a flight in Calilegua, Jujuy, Argentina, in February.

Nigel Venters, writes, November 19, 2010, "It now seems pretty certain to me that R. condor has a single generation per year, (at least in Tucuman). The first fresh males being seen in early November, then there is a staggered emergenge over the next month, and the final ragged females being seen in very early Jan.

"This info is based on personal observation and breeding both these species through a two year cycle. Hope this is of interest to you!"

Rothschildia condor female, Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000 meters
November 19, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters,
ex ova from females caught November 12, 2009.

Rothschildia condor female, Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000 meters
November 19, 2010, courtesy of Nigel Venters,
ex ova from females caught November 12, 2009.

This species will probably accept Ligustrum (privet), lilac, ailanthus and oak. Native larval host is unknown. It may be difficult to rear this species at lower elevation. Nigel Venters has confirmed larvae will accept both oak and privet.

Nigel writes, "R. condor proved to be a bit of a problem initially, it may start to nibble on Ailanthus and Syringa, but it results in 100% deaths I'm afraid. We have two types of Ligustrum here, one being the large L. lucidum, which it will not touch, and 100% deaths again, and the other is the common European Privet, L. vulgare, which amazingly is 100% reliable! Even a friend who stayed with us, who took a dozen tiny larvae back to the UK manged 100% success on this plant. Hope this is of interest."

Rothschildia condor male, Calilegua, Jujuy, Argentina,
February 17, 2010, 1100m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Rothschildia condor female, courtesy of Andrés E. Varga.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Rothschildia condor, third instar lateral view, on oak,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Rothschildia condor, third instar dorsal view, on oak,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Rothschildia condor, fifth instar,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Rothschildia condor, fifth instar,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Rothschildia condor, fifth instar,
Argentina, courtesy of Chris Conlan.

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. For some species 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.

For some species, cocoons are affixed longitudinally to stems as per members of the Hyalophora genus.

Rothschildia condor, cocoon,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Rothschildia condor, pupa,
Tafe de Valle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2000m, courtesy of Nigel Venters.

Visit Rothschildia condor eggs, all instars and cocoon, Argentina, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Visit Rothschildia condor male and larva, courtesy of Gary Saunders.

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 L. vulgare (NV) Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet European privet 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.

The species name, condor, was probably chosen as this moth flies at high altitude as does the South American condor (bird).

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