DISTRIBUTION:

The Rothschildia aurota speculifera moth (wingspan up to 12.5 cm) flies in
southeastern Brazil: Minas Gerais (LV), Goias, Parana (CM), Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul;
Paraguay: Canindeyu, Alto Parana, Caaguazu, Guaira, Paraguari, Cordillera, possibly Itapua;
Uruguay: Tacaurembo Department: Cuchilla de los Laureles;
Argentina: Misiones; and
possibly eastern Peru and
possibly southeastern Bolivia: Santa Cruz.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera male, Cuchilla de los Laureles, Tacaurembo Department, Uruguay,
October 25, 2010, courtesy of Christopher Prevett,
tentavive id and slight digital repair by Bill Oehlke.

The specimen from Uruguay seems to have a forewing pm line closer to the outer margin than in other aurota speculifera specimens displayed. This might be another aurota subspecies or an undescribed species. Perhaps it is just the angulation of the wings that makes the photo appear different.

This moth has more pink in the forewings than most other Rothschildia and has less dentate postmedial lines compared to the nominate subspecies.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera male, Misiones, Argentina,
courtesy of Reinhard Foerster.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera female, Misiones, Argentina,
courtesy of Reinhard Foerster.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera male, Uruguay, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

I suspect there are three broods annually with peak flights likely to occur in January (JW)-February, June-July and again in October.

This species prefers privet in captivity and also eats Cephalanthus, Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Prunus and Syringa vulgaris. Larry Valentine has found them on citrus in southeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Visit Rothschildia aurota speculifera larva on citrus, and subsequent adult (recto and verso; February 2009), Minas Gerais, Brazil, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Visit Rothschildia aurota speculifera male, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil, January 26, 2010, and October 31, 2012, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera female, Uruguay, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Night flying males are attracted to female's airbourne pheromones. Most activity occurs from just before midnight until 3:30 am. Moths do visit lights.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera, Santa Cruz, Bolivia,
January 2010, 1000m, courtesy of Jason Weigner, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

Lemaires does not list any of the three very similar Rothschildia species: chiris, orizaba peruviana or aurota speculifera from Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia.

He does not even list R. aurota speculifera in any part of Bolivia. However, the specimen image sent to me by Jason Weigner is most consistent with images I have of R. a. speculifera as compared to the other two species/subspecies: least dentate pm lines on all wings, largest lighter patch near forewing apex, straightest upper third of forewing am line, greatest extension of am line to forewing hyaline area, most distinct black scaling as a diffuse, smooth line (non-dentate, non-undulating) outside white and reddish-pink bands associated with pm lines.

I would expect R. orizaba peruviana to be a brighter orange, and I would expect R. chiris to be darker and at higher elevation.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Large, smooth, white eggs are laid in patches.

Larvae like it warm and dry although an occasional sprinkling of tepid water on the leaves is beneficial. Caterpillars get quite large and need fresh food.

Cocoon remains affixed to tree branch via a very short peduncle. A valve in the leaf-wrapped cocoon allows for easy exit.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera third instar larva, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Rothschildia aurota speculifera larva, courtesy of Viktor Suter via Bernhard Wenczel.

Visit Rothschildia aurota speculifera fourth and fifth instars, courtesy of Rainer Plontke.

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.

Cephalanthus Citrus (LV) Fraxinus Ligustrum japonica Prunus Syringa vulgaris .........

Buttonbush Citrus White ash Japanese privet Cherry Lilac

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Return to Rothschildia Index

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

"Rothschildia" is chosen to honour one of the Rothschilds, possibly William.

I do not know the reason for the species name, aurota.

"Speculifera" means 'mirror bearing' and probably refers to the large hyaline areas which are sometimes reflective, or the fact that the moth so closely resembles (mirror image) the nominate subspecies.