DISTRIBUTION:

Antheraea paphia flies in
India and
Bangladesh.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Larvae eat hornbeam, beech, cherry and oak species.

Quercus spp. Shorea robusta, Bombax ceiba.

Antheraea paphia male, courtesy of Alan Marson

Antheraea paphia female, courtesy of Alan Marson

I did somes light wing restoration to left forewing tip (male) and both tips (female) so don't know if shape and colouration are exact.

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.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE: Antheraea paphia larvae are typical of other Antheraea species. First instar larvae courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

The head is brown and the body green with red/silver protuberances and non-urticating hairs. Second instar larva courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Anal claspers are brown, black or a dark bergundy. Third instar larva courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Larvae are quite phlegmatic. Fourth instar larva courtesy of Mario Ioppolo. The lateral line is quite pale and the spiracular circles/ovals are purple.

Antheraea paphia, fifth instar, courtesy of Mario Ioppolo.

Antheraea paphia, fifth instar, courtesy of Alan Marson.

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.

Carpinus Fagus Hopea odorata Prunus Quercus alba Quercus robar......

Hornbeam/Ironwood Beech Takian Cherry White oak English oak

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