Attacus atlas formosanus male courtesy of Jose Marti Carpintier

DISTRIBUTION: The Attacus atlas formosanus moth (wingspan: 210-250mm) flies in Taiwan, India and Sri Lanka. Adults frequently inflate while hanging from their emergent cocoons. Peigler regards this moth as synonymous with Attacus atlas.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in July. In Taiwan, adult specimens have been observed in late April. There are probably several broods.

Larvae are polyphagous, accepting a great many foodplants and are reported to wander from one foodplant to another under natural conditions, "looking for a varied diet."

Ailanthus, lilac and privet are readily accepted in captivity.

Attacus atlas formosanus female courtesy of Jose Marti Carpintier

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in night-flying males.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are very large compared to those of other Saturniidae and incubate for 8-14 days depending upon temperature.

After less than a week of feeding, larvae moult and produce larvae with large (relative to body), fleshy scoli. The body and scoli are covered with a brilliant white powder.

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 Aleurites montana Alstonia scholaris Annona muricata Ardesia sieboldii Artemisia vulgaris Averrhoa carambola Berberis asiatica Berberis thunbergii Berberis vulgaris Betula platyphylla Bischofia javanica Camellia sinensis Canangium odoratum Carpinus betulus Ceiba pentandra Cinnamomum camphora Cinnamomum iners Cinnamomum zeylanicum Citrus Clerodendrum serratum Clerodenrum viscosum Clidemia hirta Coffea arabica Conarium indicum Curcuma viridiflora Dillenica indica Dillenia pentagyna Erythrina subumbrana Euphorbia longana Ficus Fraxinus Glochidion rubrum Glochidion velutinum Hibiscus Ilex Ipomoea batatas Kalmia latifolia Laegerstroemia indica Lannea grandis Lantana camara Leucosceptrum canum Ligustrum Litchi chinensis Lonicera japonica Mangifera indica Melastoma malabathricum Meyna grisea Morus Nauclea rotundifolia Nephelium lappaceum Nephelium lappaceum Nerium oleander Nicolaia speciosa Parkia intermedia Parkia speciosa Persea americana Persea pyriformis Phyllanthus emblica Piper Populus Prunus Pyrus malus Pyrus communis Quisqualis indica Rhododendron Ricinis communis Rosa Salix Sandoricum koetjape Sapium insigne Sapium sebiferum Sarcostemma brunonianum...... Sassafras albidum Schlefflera octophylla Schleichera oleosa Sesbania grandiflora Setaria viridis Spathodea campanulata Stachytarpheta cayennensis..... Swietenia mahogani Symplocos paniculata Syringa vulgaris Syzygium aqueum Syzygium malaccense Theobroma cacoa Uncaria gambir

Chinese tree of Heaven Mu-oil tree Devil tree Prickly custard apple Ardesia sieboldii Mugwort Country gooseberry Barberry Japanese barberry Common barberry Japanese white birch Toog Green tea tree Fereng (Thailand), or llang-llang (Philippines) Europeanhornbeam White silk cotton Quinine Camphor Wild cinnamon Cinnamon Citrus Glory-bower Glory-bower Koster's curse Coffee Conarium indicum Turmeric Dillenica indica Dillenia pentagyna Dangs Coral tree Eye-ball tree Fig Ash Glochidion velutinum Hibiscus Holly Sweet potatoe Mountain laurel Crapemyrtle Lannea grandis Yellow sage Leucosceptrum canum Privet Lychee Soapberry/Lichti Japanese honeysuckle Mango Indian rhododendron Meyna grisea Mulberry Nauclea rotundifolia Lychee Lychee Common oleander Kecombrang Locust bean Locust bean Avocado Persea pyriformis Emblic Pepper Poplar Apple Pear Rangoon creeper Rhododendron Castor-oal bean Rose Willow Kechapi, Santol, Sentul Curupi Chinese tallow tree Sarcostemma brunonianum Sassafras Umbrella tree Kosum Agati/Rattlebox Bristle grass Flame tree/African tuliptree Verbena/Blue snakeweed West Indian mahogany Sweetleaf Lilac Swamp peach Malay apple Cocoa Gambir

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