The Antheraea taripaensis moth
(wingspan 120-140mm) flies in the Sulawesi Tengah Province
Transsulawesi Taripa – Tentena in Indonesia.
(Etymology: named after the type locality on Sulawesi.)
FLIGHT TIME AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:
The moth probably
broods continuously. The paratype specimen was taken in August.
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 taripaensis female, 120mm, Sulawesi,
courtesy of Bill Garthe.
The wings of the females are larger and less falcate than those of the males.
EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:
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.