Attacus taprobanis
Moore, 1882
Attacus taprobanis male, on my home computer only.
Attacus taprobanus ??, Wayanad, southwestern India, Emmanuel Boutet, WIKI.
TAXONOMY:Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 |
"Asian Spring Blossoms" |
DISTRIBUTION:
I suspect the Attacus taprobanis moth probably flies in Sri Lanka as Taprobanus is a local name for that country. It may also fly in Ceylon and southern India.
Attacus taprobanis, Karnataka, southwestern India.
FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:
Moths have been taken in January, March-June, September-October and December.
Larvae feed on Berberis asiatica, Berberis thunbergii, Berberis vulgaris, Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Ligustrum, and Milnea roxburghiana.
Attacus taprobanis, Sri Lanka, October 26, 2010,
courtesy of Gayan Jayathilaka.
Attacus taprobanis, Sri Lanka, October 26, 2010,
courtesy of Gayan Jayathilaka.
ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:
Females extend a scent gland and emit an airbourne pheromone into the night sky. Males fly into the wind and pick up the scent with their highly developed antennae.
Attacus taprobanis female, on my home computer only.
EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:
Eggs are relatively large. Larvae pass through five instars and the double-walled cocoon hangs from the tree via a strong silken peduncle.
Attacus taprobanis fifth instar.
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.
Berberis asiatica |
Barberry |
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