DISTRIBUTION:

Cricula trifenestrata (wingspan 2.5-3.0 inches) flies in
northern India: Bengal, (TL Assam),
Nepal: April-June,
Bhutan: Zhemgang, June,
northern Thailand,
Laos,
Cambodia,
northern Vietnam,
western Malaysia: (Kuala Lumpur/Genting Highlands area, Nässig, Maschwitz et al. unpubl.), Cameron Highlands (Brinchang) (WN),
and as various subspecies in
S India (ssp. agrioides NÄSSIG, 1989),
S Myanmar (ssp. burmana SWINHOE, 1890),
Yunnan/SW China (ssp. flavoglena CHU & WANG, 1993),
Sundaland (ssp. javana WATSON, 1913),
Sulawesi (ssp. kransi JURRIAANSE & LINDEMANS, 1920),
C Moluccas (Buru, Ambon, Ceram) (ssp. serama NÄSSIG, 1989),
Bali, the Lesser Sundas (ssp. ?),
the Philippines (ssp. treadawayi NÄSSIG, 1989).

Jurgen Vanhoudt sends this beautiful image of a reared female Cricula trifenestrata from northeastern Thailand.

The female eclosed February 13.

Cricula trifenestrata female, reared, northeastern Thailand,
February 13, 2014, courtesy of Jurgen Vanhoudt.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish this moth (reddish brown with three clear spots on the forewings) from Cricula andrei which is a bit more subdued in colouration with bands less clearly delineated than trifenestrata.

Cricula trifenestrata female, Bhutan, courtesy of Gail Hampshire,
slight digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Cricula trifenestrata female, Bhutan, courtesy of Gail Hampshire,
slight digital repair and tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

As far as I know, as of October 20, 2010, there is only one Cricula species confirmed from Bhutan: Cricula trifenestrata. However, I have Cricula andrei listed as a possibility, and it is possible other Cricula species fly there. Thus my identification of the specimens in the images supplied by Gail Hamsphire is tentative.

I suspect colouration and number of hyaliine spots is variable.

"Taxonomic notes. The status of many taxa currently subordinated to trifenestrata is being investigated by W. Nassig. Male specimens from the Bornean lowlands have two approximately equal hyaline spots on the forewing; those from montane forests have the posterior one reduced (Holloway, 1981).

"Habitat preference. The species ranges from the lowlands to over 2000m."

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Teemu Klemetti offers the following regarding flight on peninsular Malaysia: This species flies for the "whole period from the 8th of March unitl the 26th of May. Moths fly all night but peak around 10-11 pm and 1-3 am. Females fly around 8 pm."

Larvae feed on a variety of trees such as Anacardium, Mangifera, Spondias, Careya, Bischofia, Canarium, Quercus, Cinnamomum, Machilus, Persea, Acrocarpus, Ziziphus, Malus, Prunus, Pyrus, Salix and Schleichera .

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of the abdomen to call in the night-flying males.

Males use well-developed antennae to track the airbourne pheromone.

Cricula trifenestrata male copyright Kirby Wolfe

Cricula trifenestrata female copyright Kirby Wolfe

Cricula trifenestrata larva copyright Kirby Wolfe

Cricula trifenestrata larva on Rhododendron, Thailand,
courtesy of Jurgen Vanhoudt.

Cricula trifenestrata larva on Rhododendron, Thailand,
courtesy of Jurgen Vanhoudt.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae are like those of the Oak Eggar moth. This moth has been imported into Europe where it is easily reared.

The mature larva is dark grey with the anal claspers red. There is a sublateral pink stripe, and the venter is black. Each segment is ringed with setose verrucae and each segment is clothed in yellow-brown hair. The segments are separated by dark brown rings.

The cocoon is a fusiform, yellow network of silk. The beautiful gold coloration of the silk is highly prized and the fibre is very strong. Many Asian people harvest and weave the silk.

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.

Anacardium occidentale....... Artocarpus Bischofia Canarium alba Canarium commune Careya arborea Cinchoma succirubra Cinnamomum Crataegus Eucalyptus gunnii Eugenia aquea Eugenia malaccense Machilus odoratissima Mangifera indica Persea americana Prunus Psidium guajava Pyrus communis Pyrus malus Quercus Rhododendron Salix babylonica Schleichera oleosa Spondias Ziziphus

Cashewnut Jackfruit Toog Java almond Java almond Kumbi Quinine Cinnamon Hawthorn Cider gum Stopper Waterboom Laurel/Sum tree Mango Avocado Cherry Common guava Pear Apple Oak Azalea Weeping willow Gum-lac/Ceylon oak Hogplum Jujube

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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.