DISTRIBUTION:

The Antheraea mylitta moth flies from India to Sri Lanka.

Antheraea mylitta female, Kasargod, Kerala, southwestern India

Visit outstanding images of Antheraea mylitta, males, females, mature larva and cocoon, courtesy of Jean-Yves Malmasson.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Larvae eat hornbeam, beech, cherry, gum, willow and oak species.

Quercus spp. Shorea robusta, Bombax ceiba

Antheraea paphia female, Mailattawa, Central Province, Sri Lanka,
March 31, 2012, courtesy of Chris Chafer.

Antheraea mylitta female, India, Orissa, Balangir, Belpora, courtesy of Mike Jordan.

Antheraea mylitta melanic ?? female, India, courtesy of Lorenzo Comoglio.

Lorenzo writes, "A few days ago an aberrant female hatched from cocoons I received last week from India. I don't know why this female is aberrant, because I'm keeping these cocoons very warm (25 to 30°C). This female paired readly with a male and started laying eggs like other females.

In the second photo (below), you can see this aberrant female with a quite "normal" female. If you compare the second female I cited with the female in this Mike Jordan photo you can see the difference. I think both are aberrant."

I (Bill Oehlke) do not have enoough experience with this species to know what falls within the "normal" range of colour patterns for Antheraea mylitta. I do know that frequently ground colour can vary tremendously within many of the Antheraea species. The images of the females submitted by Jean-Yves Malmasson show considerable dark scaling in the outer half of the median area. Additional information would be appreciated.

Antheraea mylitta melanic ?? female, India, courtesy of Lorenzo Comoglio.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use highly developed antennae to detect female scent which is distributed into the wind. Males fly into the wind in a zigzag pattern to detect the pheromone and subsequently locate the female.

Photo courtesy of Chris Conlan.

Antheraea mylitta male, India, Orissa, Balangir, Belpora, courtesy of Mike Jordan.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Antheraea mylitta larvae are typical of other Antheraea species. The head is brown and the body green with red/silver protuberances and non-urticating hairs. Anal claspers are black or a dark bergundy. Larvae are quite phlegmatic.

Photo courtesy of Leroy Simon.

"I am currently rearing Antheraea paphia - also on E. gunnii - and they are thriving. They are similar to mylitta in many respects but quite distinct. For example, they are much smaller. Now that they are spinning another difference is apparent. A. mylitta have a very thick peduncle which attaches to a twig with a thick band of silk (like a ring). A. paphia cocoons are attached to the twig with a much more subtle thin 'sleeve' of silk which stretches for several centimetres."

Visit "nicer photos" of Antheraea mylitta fourth and fifth instars, courtesy of Alan Marson.

Bruce Passarelli writes, "The Antheraea mylitta are doing best on Sweetgum. (figured, if they did well for Alan Marson on Gunni, the sweet gum should be good). The cats are half the size on White Birch and Oak. I am switching some over to Sweetgum for fear of time and leaves turning. So far so good."

Antheraea mylitta on sweetgum, courtesy of Bruce Passarelli

Antheraea mylitta on sweetgum, courtesy of Bruce Passarelli

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.

Carpinus Eucalyptus gunnii Fagus Liquidambar styraciflua....... Prunus Quercus alba Quercus robar Salix

Hornbeam/Ironwood Cider gum favourite Beech Sweetgum favourite Cherry White oak English oak Willow

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