DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia jacobaeae, Rothschild's Atlas, is found in the southern Amazon region:
Brazil: Minas Gerais: Serra da Mantiqueira, Rio Grande do Sul, Parana (CM), (probably Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso do Sul (WO?));
Bolivia: Santa Cruz;
northeastern Argentina: Buenos Aires: Olivos (18m); La Plata; Tucuman: Tucuman City; Santa Fe: Rosario (CF);
Uruguay;
probably most of Paraguay. The specimen pictured above is from high altitude in Bolivia. The species is fairly common in some areas and is often imported into Europe.

Rothschildia jacobaeae, male, Argentina, reared on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Thibaud Decaens.

Rothschildia jacobaeae, male, Brazil,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

R. jacobaeae has been placed in the subgroup of six species characterized by 1) two longitudinal white stripes on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, 2) two or three subapical spots on the forewing and 3) a white prothoracic collar: jacobaeae; condor; tucumani; erycina; belus; hopfferi.

Jacobaeae, condor and tucumani have large rounded spots, while those of erycina, belus and hopfferi are narrow triangles.

R. jacobaeae has a carmen red ground colour, distinguishing it from condor and tucumani.

Rothschildia jacobaeae female, Paraguay, courtesy/copyright Ulf Drechsel.

Rothschildia jacobaeae female, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
October 26, 2003, courtesy of Gabriela F. Ruellan.

Rothschildia jacobaeae, female, Brazil,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Nigel Venters reports an October flight, 800 m above Tucuman City, in Tucuman, Argentina. Gabriela F. Ruellan confirms an October flight in La Platra, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Claudio Fibla reports a January 29, 2014 flight in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.

He writes, "Rothschildia jacobaeae male was the only one seen. I don't often see this species at Tucuman."

I suspect moths are probably also on the wing in October-November, based on mature larvae finds in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil, in January. Larry Valentine confirms this with male Rothschildia jabcobaeae images (recto and verso) from October 14, 2011, and February 4, 2013 Itanhandu, south eastern Minas Gerais, and September 10, 2012. There might be?? additional flight months. Larry Valentine has also confirmed February, July and September flights in Minas Gerais. I would not be surprised if there is also a March-April flight in that area.

Suzanne Rollen reports a February flight in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, February 14, 2010

Rothschilidia jacobaeae female, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina,
February 14, 2010, courtesy of Suzanne Rollen.

Rothschildia jacobaeae female, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina,
January, 29, 2014, courtesy of Claudio Fibla.

In captivity Ligustrum (privet) is commonly used as a hostplant but Prunus will work as well.

Male courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Males tend to have slightly more falcate wings and slightly wider antennae.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Like most of the Rothschildia, except for the diurnal zacateca, this species calls and pairs at night.

Visit Rothschildia jacobaeae gynandromorph, Buenos Aires, Argentina, courtesy of Alejandro Borquez.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are large, flattened and round. They are a glossy cream color with brown mottling and are usually affixed to the undersides of foliage in small clusters of 4-7. Eggs image courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Larvae get large and plump and need lots of food. Overcrowding should be avoided.

Images and information courtesy of Chris Conlan.

Just before spinning, the enamel-like white stripes, ringing the sides and top of the larvae, turn deep yellow or orange. Larvae are docile and phlegmatic. Chris Conlan writes, "I do not know if the yellow color phase (Bolivia) of the larva occurs in other populations as this was the first time I have seen it."

Rothschildia jacobaeae fifth instar, Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil
appears to be on willow, January 16, 2008, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Rothschildia jacobaeae fifth instar, Olivos (18m), Buenos Aires, Argentina,
courtesy of Dr. Carlos Marzano.

Rothschildia jacobaeae fifth instar, Olivos (18m), Buenos Aires, Argentina,
courtesy of Dr. Carlos Marzano.

Rothschildia jacobaeae, fifth instar, Brazil,
courtesy of Viktor Suter.

Diapause occurs in a large, brownish, and tightly woven cocoon, spun up amongst the leaves and fastened to a branch with a strong peduncle. There are both inner and outer cocoons, each with a relatively long valve to facilitate eclosions.

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.

Ligustrum Prunus serotina Prunus virginiana...... Salix ?? Syringa vulgaris

Privet Wild black cherry Chokecherry Willow ?? Common lilac

Additional images by Leroy Simon below:

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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.

The species name, jacobaeae, is probably honourific for a woman named Jacobae, possibly the biblical Mary Jacobae who may be the same as Mary Cleophae.

Rothschildia jacobaeae male, Ecuador, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

I feel the location (Ecuador) is probably a mislabelling error as R. jacobaeae seems to be much more southeastern in its range in South America.