Actual ranges are, in many cases, probably much more expansive than noted. I suspect that with the exceptions of Anisota peigleri (eastern only) and Citheronia sepulcralis (eastern only), all species listed are probably widely distributed throughout the state. An absence of a marker for a particular county is probably more indicative of a lack of hobbyists/reporters rather than a lack of moths.
Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a file with pictures and/or information.
Non-member Lucy Thomason, Watertown, Tennessee (Wilson County) reports May 20, 2004, "Well, you were quite correct. I did have not one but two female Lunas in my remaining cocoons and they eclosed the same day. I put one on my front porch in a bird cage and I put the other on my back porch in a contraption I rigged up after reading Liz Day's information. The female on the front porch in the bird cage called in no less than EIGHT wild males!!! What a sight! I woke my boys up to see it at 2 in the morning on a school night!! The female on the back porch had a lone male fluttering around her." Non-member Brigitte Sclabas sent me images of Actias luna (May 26, 2007), Hyalophora cecropia (June 5, 2007) and Citheronia regalis, all from Davidson County.
Member Lori Williams sends these beautiful images of Eacles imperialis larvae, red and green forms, from Allardt, Fentress County, Tennessee. She obtained eggs from a female taken on July 22, 2011. She put the eggs in a sleeve and pulled the sleeve back on August 9 and was delighted to see so many young larvae feeding on sweetgum. Growth was very rapid between August 9 and August 28.
Eacles imperialis second instars, Allardt, Fentress County, Tennessee,
August 9, 2011, courtesy of Lori Williams.
Eacles imperialis fourth or fifth instar, Allardt, Fentress County, Tennessee,
red form, August 22 2011, courtesy of Lori Williams.
Eacles imperialis fourth or fifth instar, Allardt, Fentress County, Tennessee,
green form, August 22 2011, courtesy of Lori Williams.
On May 12, Lori captured a female Callosamia angulifera in Allardt.
Inspired by Lori's enthusiasm and interest, I have created the following Saturniidae Thumnail Charts for Tennessee:
Male Saturniidae Thumbnails
FeMale Saturniidae Thumbnails
Saturniidae Larvae Thumbnails
Dean Edwards reports Dryocampa rubicunda from Knox County, April 20, 2004.
Dean Edwards from Knoxville in Knox County reports, "Io Moth (Automeris io) 1 male on 11 May 2004; Luna Moth (Actias luna) 2, 1 each on 7 and 8 May 2004; Tulip Tree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera) reported and photographed by Cathy Whitten in Anderson Co., TN, on 8 May 2004.
Dean Edwards adds, "Imperial Moth
(Eacles imperialis), 1 male on 27 July 2003;
Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), 1 on 4 Aug 2003,
1 on 20-21 April 2004,
a couple more this spring that I don't have dates
for;
Orange-tipped Oakworm (Anisota senatoria),
In August 2003, we had a big infestation of the caterpillars
of this species on Willow Oaks planted in the parking lot where
I work (also Knox Co.) and also at a church in Loudon Co., TN,
where we went for a wedding. Haven't found any adults;
Io Moth (Automeris io), 1 female on 20 June 2003, at work
1 male on 11 May 2004 at work,
1 female on 19 May 2004 at work,
1 male on 24 May 2004 at home;
Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus),
1 female on 30 May 2004;
Luna Moth (Actias luna), 1 on 7 May 2004,
1 on 8 May 2004,
1 on 20 May 2004;
Callosamia sp., most likely C. angulifera
(lots of Tulip Trees here)."
Dean reports Anisota stigma June 24, 2004, Knox County.
Eacles imperialis female was taken in Grainger County, July 31, 2008. Return to Tennessee List
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