DISTRIBUTION:

Saturnia (Rinaca) lindia (wingspan 90--96mm) flies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Himalaya and China (probably Tibet/Xizang and possibly Yunnan) at elevations up to 2400m altitude.

This moth is frequently classified as Caligula lindia.

Saturnia (Rinaca) lindia male, Pakistan, courtesy of Robert Westphal.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

In Afghanistan, there is a single generation with moths on the wing in late June. Andreas Riekert indicates an April flight for a smaller (wingspan: 73mm) "race" in Pakistan.

Larvae feed on Acer saccharinum, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Juglans regia, Malus, Populua deltoides, Prunus avium, Prunus padus, Pyru calleryana and Salix.

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.

Saturnia (Rinaca) lindia pair, Pakistan, courtesy of Andreas Riekert

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Saturnia (Rinaca) lindia third instar courtesy of Franz and Julian Renner

Saturnia (Rinaca) lindia fourth instar courtesy of Franz and Julian Renner

In the early instars, larvae are similar to those of Neoris huttoni Moore, 1862, but with 'eye-like' tubercles on the penultimate segment. Image courtesy of Tony Pittaway.

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.

Acer saccharinum....... Betula pendula Corylus avellana Juglans regia Malus Populua deltoides Prunus avium Prunus padus Pyrus calleryana Salix

Silver maple Silver birch European hazel English walnut Apple Eastern cottonwood Bird cherry Cherry Pyrus calleryana Willow

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