DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia schreiteriana flies at low elevation in
Argentina: Chaco, Tucuman, La Rioga, Santiago del Estero and Salta; and in
northwestern Paraguay: Boqueron and Presidente Hayes.

Rothschidia schreiteriana male, Argentina, reared on Ligustrum, courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

The forewing apex is more pronounced than in look-alike maurus, the hyaline spots are larger and more rounded and the postmedian bands are broad and evenly dentate with much pink scaling toward the outer margin.

Rothschildia maurus (male) more likely schreiteriana, Argentina, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia schreiteriana (male), Argentina, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia maurus (female) more likely schreiteriana, Argentina, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Rothschildia schreiteriana (female), Argentina, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Based on Lemaire's description, I think the images by Eric van Schayck on this page are more likely those of the very similar Rothschildia schreiteriana.

Note the very straight forewing postmedial line in the Pablo Wagner images as compared to the convex pm line in the EvS images. Also note the differences in the hw postmedial line and the shape of the hyaline spots.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

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.

Rothschidia schreiteriana male courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

The wings of the female are more rounded, less falcate.

Rothschidia schreiteriana female.

Rothschildia schreiteriana female, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. 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. Image courtesy of Ian Mascall.

Rothschildia schreiteriana cocoon, Paraguay, courtesy of Ulf Drechsel.

There are both inner and outer cocoons, each with a relatively long valve to facilitate eclosions.

Rothschidia schreiteriana larva courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

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

Return to Main Saturniidae Index

Return to Rothschildia Index

For additional images, go to Hubert Mayer image

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, schreiteriana, is probably for the figures supplied by Schreiter in 1925