DISTRIBUTION:

The Antheraea montezuma moth (wingspan: males: 167mm; females: 151mm) flies throughout much of
Mexico:
San Luis Potosi (JK);
Hidalgo (JK);
Campeche (DR);
Oaxaca (MB);
Veracruz: Las Minas: Las Minas (1480m);
Distrito Federal: Tlalpan: Padierna, Ajusco (2850m);
Guerrero: Chilpancingo de los Bravo: Acahuizotla;
and Puebla in oak forests at higher altitudes.

Antheraea montezuma male, Oaxaca, Mexico,
July 21, 2006, courtesy of Mike Buczkowski.

Antheraea montezuma male (verso), Oaxaca, Mexico,
July 21, 2006, courtesy of Mike Buczkowski.

The populations on the west and east are a bit different. They tend to be bigger in the east and a bit more orange in color.

It is confirmed by Lemaire in Hidalgo, Veracruz and Puebla. John Kamps confirms it from San Luis Potosi. Dave Rolfe confirms it in Campeche. Mike Buczkowski reports it in Oaxaca.

Antheraea montezuma, La Trinidad, Campeche, Mexico, 167mm; 8500 ft;
May, 1990, courtesy of Dave T. Rolfe.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Adults are on the wing in May-June-July and August as a single generation. Larvae look much like Antheraea polyphemus and A. oculea and feed on oak.

Antheraea montezuma female copyright Kirby Wolfe

Antheraea montezuma female, 5 km vor dem Ortseingang, San Jose de Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico,
151mm, 2,479 meters alt., September-October 2010, courtesy of Athanasios Mpamnaras.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females attract the night flying males with an airbourne pheromone.

Antheraea montezuma male, Tlanchinol, Hidalgo, Mexico,
June 1999, 1500m, courtesy of John Kamps.

Antheraea montezuma male, Monguey de Oriente, San Luis Potosi, Mexico,
July 28, 2000, courtesy of John Kamps.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Large brown heads on a green body, adorned with silver scoli and non-urticating hairs typify the Antheraea of the New World.

Antheraea montezuma, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Antheraea montezuma fourth instar, Sinaloa, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Antheraea montezuma fifth instar, Sinaloa, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Antheraea montezuma fifth instar, Sinaloa, Mexico,
courtesy of Viktor Suter, courtesy of Viktor Suter.

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.

Quercus.......

Oak

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