DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia prionia (wingspan: males: 99-102mm; female: ??) flies in southcentral Brazil: Alagoas, Bahia and Minas Gerais.

This species greatly resembles R. cincta geurreronis, but differs in that the hindwing hyaline spot tends to be more elongate and subrhomboidal and the antemedial band is less produced in R. prionia.

Rothschildia prionia male, Encrucillada, Bahia, Brazil,
101.9mm, 850m, December 2011, courtesy of Kelly Price.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Kelly Price reports specimens taken in early December, 2011, in Encrucillada, Bahia, Brazil, at elevation of 850m.

This species will probably accept Ligustrum (privet), lilac, ailanthus and oak.

Rothschildia prionia male, Brazil, Seitz.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

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

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

It is interesting to watch Rothschildia fashion their cocoons. A strong peduncle with a few support silk strands secures the structure while the larva continues "padding its nest" with a continuous back-and-forth movement of the head.

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.

Ailanthus altissima..... Ligustrum Quercus Syringa vulgaris

Ailanthus Privet Oak Common 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.

The species name, prionia, comes from Greek mythology where Prionia is one of the three springs that feed the Enipeas River.