DISTRIBUTION:

Antheraea ranakaensis (wingspan approx. males: 115-134mm; females: 111mm; ) flies in the Province Nusa Tenggara Timur;
Island of Flores, in Indonesia.

The hyaline area of the male forewing cell is slightly oblong and oriented with its long axis line perpendicular to the line of the costa. The male forewing apex is broadly produced with a generally lighter beige-brown colouration compared to the darker brown of the rest of the wing. The outer margin of the male forewing is quite concave below the apex and then slightly produced near the anal angle.

Antheraea ranakaensis male, 132mm, Indonesia,
courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

Antheraea ranakaensis male, 134mm, Flores, Indonesia,
courtesy of Ron Brechlin.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This species probably broods continuously. There is a flight in September-October.

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.

Antheraea ranakaensis AT female, 111mm, Flores, Indonesia,
courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

Antheraea ranakaensis AT female, 111mm, Flores, Indonesia,
courtesy of Ulrich Paukstadt.

Antheraea ranakaensis ??? female, Flores Island, Indonesia,
149mm, courtesy of Bill Garthe. This is likely something else, Bill Oehlke.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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.

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