DISTRIBUTION:

Rothschildia speculifer siriae moth (wingspan up to 12.5 cm) flies in
Uruguay: Tacaurembo Department: Cuchilla de los Laureles.

Rothschildia speculifer siriae?? 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 Christopher Prevett specimen from Uruguay seems to have a forewing pm line closer to the outer margin than in other Rothschildia speculifer siriae specimens displayed. This might be another 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.

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 probably prefers privet and probably also eats Cephalanthus, Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Prunus and Syringa vulgaris.

Rothschildia speculifer siriae 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 speculifer siriae??, 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. Perhaps this is R. speculifer siriae.

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.

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, speculifer, but "speculifera" means 'mirror bearing' and probably refers to the large hyaline areas which are sometimes reflective. The subspecies name siriae is honourific of Siri, a daughter of Eric van Schayck.