DISTRIBUTION:

Coscinocera hercules (wingspan up to 27 cm; probably represents non-conventional recording) flies in Papua New Guinea and North Queensland, Australia from Cape York south to Ingham, where it inhabits tropical rain forests. Most females are probably between 195-215mm from wingtip to wingtip in conventional (spread) pose.

Bjorn Fjellstad reports males at 195mm and females at 203mm in conventional wingspan measurements.

Visit Coscinocera hercules butleri which may be the same as the nominate subspecies.

Visit Coscinocera hercules sixth instar, ex ovo from wild female, February 17, 2011, Kuranda, North Queensland, Australia, reared on bleeding heart tree, Homolanthus populifolius (Euphorbiaceae). courtesy of Jim Tuttle.
Jim reports adult hercules were quite common during the Australian summer of 2010-11.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

In its natural setting, this species feeds on Dysoxylum muelleri, (Red Bean); Glochidion ferdinandi, (Cheese tree); Omalanthus novoguinensis, (Bleeding heart); Omalanthus nutans, (Native bleeding heart); Timonius rumphii, and Timonius singularis. Jurgen Vanhoudt reports rearng success on Prunus laurocerasus. Larvae often consume most or all of discarded skin.

Photo by Leroy Simon.

Other accepted food plants are Homalanthus populifolia, (Bleeding heart tree); Ligustrum, (privet); Panax elegans, (ginseng); Polyscias fulva, (Parasol tree); Prunus serotina, (Wild black cherry); Syringa vulgaris, (lilac).

Jurgen Vanhoudt writes, "I see that you have updated the files of Coscinocera hercules. In a few weeks/months I will send you a new update as I'm experimenting' with the species at the moment (I had a lot of offspring after handpairing these).

"My experiment already had some interesting results as I found at least two new host plants (Salix viminalis and Hedera helix). I'm not sure of Rhododendron and Quercus xHispanica yet (some leaves show bitemarks, but I'm not sure if they eat it or are just checking if it's edible). At any time, I put 4 different plants in the cage. The only plant I put in always is Prunus laurocerasus, the rest alternates. Other plants in the mix are for exemple 2 species of Ligustrum (vulgare and ovalifolium). Caterpillars go from one plant to another eating a few hours and then move to the next plant. I'm convinced that doing this experiment in summer, when there are more different plants available, would give even more surprising results. This species seems to have a wider diet then everybody thinks. Whether this also results in larger caterpillars/moths is still to be seen."

Jurgen adds on February 7, 2014: "So far, my findings are that they prefer Prunus species (serotine and laurocerasus) and Salix species (caprea and viminalis). They also accept Photinia and Ailanthus very well. It seems better to give them a mix of more then one kind of plant. I let them choose between 3 different plants and they clearly move from one plant to another and thus eating more then one type of plant during their lives.

When in a mix, they also accept Cotoneaster, although they do not eat much of it. Surprising is that when placed in a mix of other plants, they completely ignore Ligustrum species. But, when they don't have a choice, they will accept both L. ovalifolium and vulgare. Young instars accept Hedera helix, however this plant is completely ignored by older instars, so maybe too early to put Hedera amongst the host plants. I will do more tests with Hedera as soon as I have the next generation. When on a mixed diet caterpillars grow not larger then on a single plant diet.

"One last thing: I don't know if you have noticed it on the picture of the 4th instar caterpillar I have sent you, but caterpillars on Prunus laurocerasus seem to be much more blueish. I dont know if this is because of substances in the Prunus leaves or just a natural colorform. Have you heard about this from other people (more blue caterpillars)?"

Coscinocera hercules fourth instar on Prunus laurocerasus,
courtesy of Jurgen Vanhoudt.

ECLOSION:

Moths wiggle their way out of double-walled cocoons and then hang to inflate their wings.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in males by emitting pheromones. The males tend to be slightly smaller than the females, but have more vibrant colouration and longer "tails".

Photo of male courtesy of Scott Smith.

Coscinocera hercules male, courtesy of Bob Vuattoux copyright

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Gravid females lay 80-100 eggs singly or in small groups. Emerging larvae chew a hole through one side of the egg and struggle to extricate themselves.

Beautiful images of second instar larvae below are from Anthony Darby who seeks correspondence with others rearing this species.

Contact him at anthony@darby.eclipse.co.uk

Third instar courtesy of Anthony Darby.

Fourth instar courtesy of Anthony Darby.

Late fourth instar courtesy of Anthony Darby.

Fifth instar courtesy of Anthony Darby.

Sixth instar courtesy of Anthony Darby.

Sixth instar, praying, courtesy of Alan Marson. "Please don't eat me, Alan!"

Late instar larvae get quite large (10 cm), like to sip on water droplets, and take on a greenish-blue colouration. The double-walled cocoons are long and slender and are leaf wrapped.

Photo by Mike Cermak

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.

Dysoxylum muelleri Glochidion ferdinandi Hedera helix (JV) Homalanthus populifolia..... Ligustrum Panax elegans Polyscias elegans Prunus laurocerasus (JV) Prunus serotina Salix viminalis (JV) Syringa vulgaris Timonius rumphii

Red Bean Cheese Tree European Ivy Bleeding-heart tree Privet Ginseng Celery Wood Cherry Laurel Wild black cherry Common Osier Common lilac Queensland Apple

Visit Mini-greenhouse and Monstrous larva courtesy of A. Darby.

Goto Male: wings open; wings closed, Anthony Darby

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