DISTRIBUTION:

Antheraea rubicunda, (forewing length: males: 70-82mm; females: probably larger), probably flies in India: probably Sikkim.

It is confirmed in
Bhutan: Dungdungsa area, 2850m; Black Mt. Nat. Park, 2 km E Chendebji, 2320m; near DorjiGompa, 2430m; road Trongsa - Yotongla; (Bumthang); Chhukha, 2000m (SD); and
Nepal: March-July.

A. (A.) rubicunda is a ruddy/reddish species closely resembling A. (A.) r. roylii which generally ranges from grey-greenish to olive green.

"The tip of the fw apex is sharper and more elongate in A. (A.) rubicunda n. sp. There are also some small differences in the shape and course of the transverse lines. A. (A.) helferi helferi can be easily distinguished by its broader and blunter fw apex, the shape and coloration of the transverse lines and details of the wing ocelli (e.g. there is only a very small or even no hyaline centre to the wing ocelli in helferi)."

Antheraea rubicunda male (verso), Chhukha, southwestern Bhutan,
September 2012, 2000m, courtesy of Sonam Dorji.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been observed in June and September (SD) in Bhutan and from March to July in Nepal.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

"The males of A. (A.) rubicunda n. sp. are attracted to light in the early morning (2.00-4.30 a.m.) only, whereas (in the same area) males of A. (A.) r. roylii arrive from 10.30 p.m. to about 1.30 a.m.

In addition males of A. (A.) rubicunda n. sp. fly very fast in large circles around the (e.g. 250 W) bulb then fall to the ground very hard, like a stone. Males of A. (A.) r. roylii also fly fast but in smaller circles around the bulb and not as fast and straight as A. (A.) rubicunda n. sp. As a result, A. (A.) r. roylii is easier to catch with a net, even during flight, which is nearly impossible with A. (A.) rubicunda n. sp."

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

The species name, rubicunda, refers to the ground colour of the new species.

Larval Food Plants
It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the antiicpated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Bassia latifolia Bassia longifolia Betula alnoides Cyperus esculentus Daphniphyllum himalense..... Euodia fraxinifolia Prunus puddum Pyrus communis Pyrus malus Quercus dealbata Quercus dilatata Quercus glauca Quercus himalayana Quercus ilex Quercus incana Quercus robur Quercus semicarpifolia Quercus semiserrata Quercus serrata Quercus tueneri

Mohwa tree Mohwa tree Indian birch Nutsedge Daphniphyllum Poyam Wild black cherry Pear Apple Oak Green oak of the Himalaya Oak Oak Holly/Holm oak Grey oak English oak Oak Oak Konara oak Oak

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On my home computer only: notes on Saturniidae of Bhutan by Ronald Brechlin (in English) as published in Entomo-Satsphingia 2 (1): 47 – 55 (March 2009)

The actual hardcopy editions of Entomo-Satsphingia may be purchased via the link to the left.

Antheraea (Antheraea) rubicunda n. sp. = Antheraea helferi helferi MOORE, 1859: HARUTA 1992: 93; plate 26: 3 = Antheraea roylei [sic] MOORE, 1859: ALLEN 1993: 59, fig. 41.c (+ 41.d?)

Antheraea rubicunda male, on my home computer only.