DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia renatae (wingspan: males: 111mm; females: 93-96mm) flies at high elevations (up to 4000-4600mm) in
Peru: Apurimac: Cajamarca: Matara.

As of 2005, this species is rarely seen in collections.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Rafael Losada reports a late December flight in Matara, Cajamarca, Apurimac, Peru at high elevation.

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

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

Rothschildia renatae, female, Matara, Cajamarca, Apurimac, Peru,
December 23, 2013, id by Ryan Saint Laurent and Bill Oehlke.

Rothschildia renatae female, 93mm, Peru,
courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. In 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. In other species, the cocoon is fastened longitudinally to a host plant stem as per the Hyalophora.

Larval Food Plants

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

Ailanthus altissima..... Ligustrum 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.

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, renatae, is probably honourific for a woman name Renata, possibly the wife of the describer?

Rothschildia renatae 4000m, Peru, courtesy of Frank Meister.

Rothschildia renatae, courtesy of Frank Meister.