Opodiphthera astrophela
(Walker, 1855) (? Antheraea)

Opodiphthera astrophela male, Kumbia, Queensland, Australia,
February 27, 2011, courtesy of Elissa Black, id by Bill Oehlke.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Genus: Opodiphthera Wallengren, 1858

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DISTRIBUTION:

Opodiphthera astrophela, formerly Antheraea simplex, (wingspan: males: 80-82mm; females: 84mm) flies in the eastern quarter of Australia, Central Queensland to central New South Wales.

Many thanks to Daniel Marlos who runs the website called "What's That Bug?". Daniel frequently alerts me of Saturniidae, Sphingidae and Catocala images that are sent to him for identifications. I help when I can, and Daniel usually provides me with contact information so I can get permission to post the photos.

Opodiphthera astrophela male: 80mm; female: 84mm; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia,
February 18, 1941, Cornell University Collection, courtesy of Ryan Saint-Laurent.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in late February (EB) and in March.

Larvae feed on Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) , Black Wattle (Callicoma serratifolia), Crows Ash (Flindersia australis), Cudgerie (Flindersia schottiana), and Leopardwood (Flindersia maculosa).

Opodiphthera astrophela pair,
from University of Queensland Insect Collection

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The grey-brown females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in the yellow, night-flying males.

Opodiphthera astrophela courtresy of Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae usually pupate in a tough oval cocoon affixed to plants growing below the host. The following images, all ex-ovum, are courtesy of Bjorn Fellstad who indicates the second instar is almost identical to the first instar.

Regarding Bjorn's images and information: "All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced (except brief passages for the purpose of a review), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. ©Bjørn M. Fjellstad 2006.

Opodiphthera astrophela first instars, Lamington, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

Opodiphthera astrophela third instar, Lamington, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

Opodiphthera astrophela fourth instar, Lamington, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

Opodiphthera astrophela fifth instar, Lamington, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

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.

Alphitonia excelsa Callicoma serratifolia...... Flindersia australis Flindersia schottiana Flindersia maculosa

Red Ash Black Wattle Crows Ash Cudgerie Leopardwood

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