DISTRIBUTION: Stefan Naumann (2006) indicates that the moth called Caligula jonasi fallax from northern China, North and South Korea, Amur, the Russian Far East, southeastern Siberia and the Primorye region. is probably Saturnia (Caligula) boisduvalii and the moth which flies in Japan is probably jonasi. Caligula intermediula Bryk, 1948, is a synonym for Caligula fallax, which is probably Saturnia (Caligula) boisduvalii.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths are on the wing in the fall (August-October) and females deposit eggs that overwinter.

Larvae feed on Populus deltoides.

Caligula boisduvalii Krasnokamensk, Russia, near China-Mongolia border
August 2005, courtesy of Oleg Korsun from Chita, Russia, via Yuri Berezhnoi.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

The forewings of the female are rounded in contrast to the more falcate form of the males.

Saturnia boisduvalii, China, courtesy of Teemu Klemetti.

There have been many revisions over the years, and I think the above specimen would now be called Caligula boisduvalii.

Caligula boisduvalii, male, courtesy/copyright of Oleg Korsun from Chita city,
via Yuri Berezhnoi.

Caligula boisduvalii, larva, courtesy/copyright of Oleg Korsun from Chita city,
via Yuri Berezhnoi.

Stefan Naumann indicates this moth is probably a dark nominate Caligula boisduvalii while Yuri Berezhnoi and Oleg Korsun regard it as a subspecies of the moth they call Caligula fallax. Since it was taken so far from the range of C. fallax and shows some different characters they think it may be a different species.

The adult was taken in the Krasnochikoisky District, Krasny Chikoi Town, Chita region, Transbaikalien, August 14, 2002, and the larvae was taken in Krasnochikoisky District, Nizhny Narim Village, Studeny Creek, Chita region, Transbaikalien.

The foodplant is birch (Betula pendula), July 14, 1999.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are affixed to twigs in the fall and overwinter in that stage. Japonica larvae have the long green body hairs typical of this genus. In the fourth and fifth instars body hairs are especially long relative to body size right after a moult. Mature larvae spin an extremely porous cocoon which is affixed longitudinally to host stems. The muddy, grey-brown pupa and discarded larva skin are visible through the "mesh". Larval Food Plants Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants listed in Stephen E. Stone's Foodplants of World Saturniidae and/or on various internet sources. 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. Betula pendula Populus deltoides..... Birch Eastern cottonwood Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page. Return to Main Index Return to Saturnia Index Return to Rinaca Index