DISTRIBUTION:

Saturnia (Rinaca) witti flies in Nepal (Ganesh Himal (TL) & Langtang Himal (= Mts.), 2720–3150 m) and the Himalayan region:

western Bhutan: below and east of Pele La-pass (5 km west of Chendebji) at an elevation of 2500m;
Nepal.

The species is named in honour of Thomas Witt, Munich, Germany.

Saturnia (Rinaca) witti male, Nepal,
courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been observed in late October to early November.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

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.

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On my home computer only: notes on Saturniidae of Bhutan by Ronald Brechlin (in English) as published in Entomo-Satsphingia 2 (1): 47 – 55 (March 2009)

The actual hardcopy editions of Entomo-Satsphingia may be purchased via the link to the left.