Bjorn Fjellstad

Martin Finney sent me an email on October 8, 2013, asking about validity of Syntherata escarlata, which I did not have listed on WLSS. I did a Google search and found that several new Syntherata species had been described by D.A. Lane , E.D. Edwards & Naumann, 2010. A further search took me to website created and maintained by Bjorn Fjellstad.

I contacted Bjorn by email and asked for permission to post his images, credited to him and linked back to his website, and offered him complementary membership in WLSS in exchange for image use.

Bjorn granted permission for image use, and I sent him access to WLSS.

Syntherata escarlata fifth instar, Paluma, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

Regarding Bjorn's images and information: "All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced (except brief passages for the purpose of a review), stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author, Bjørn M. Fjellstad 2006.

Bjorn has provided some excellent feedback:

"I have tried to log in to your website and it works fine, no problems. Excellent website and again thank you for giving me access.

"When I went to have a look at the Syntherata group on your website, I noticed the photo on top of that page. It says its a photo of Syntherata janetta female courtesy of Leroy Simon. I don’t know where the photo was taken, but its not a female, but a Syntherata sp. male. Syntherata janetta males have a more curved wingtip. Three Syntherata species are almost impossible to determine down to species 100% unless they have been reared, as the only way to tell them apart is by looking at the different instars of the larvae. They all have similar colour forms as adults. The one of the photo can be a male of either S. escarlata, S. melvilla or S. pseudescarlata. These three species overlap in distribution. If you have a look at my photos, you will see what I’m talking about. All my photos of adults are from reared species, except from some photos of S. janetta and S. leonae, which can be determined down to species, either by wing shape or location where collected.

"I don’t know if you know him, but the Lepidopterist in Australia with the best knowledge of Australian silkmoths is another good friend of mine, David A. Lane. He is the person that has done most of the work with our Syntherata species."

++++

"Another thing about food plants for the Australian Syntherata. They will accept quite a few native food plants. One native plant that works really well with all the species is Billygoat Plum (Planchonia careya). Another plant that is non-native, but also accepted without a problem is a plant in the Pepper tree family (Schinus terebinthifolius). I have successfully reared all species on these two plants and also gone from one plant to the other, depending of what is available in my area. I believe the Pepper tree can be found in some states of the U.S., so it shouldn’t be a problem rearing them over there. The only thing is to legally export eggs from Australia (permit required). Also that the eggs probably will hatch before arriving, as they can hatch after only a week after being laid."

++++

"Since I moved down to Australia 13 years ago (2013 current date), Australian Lepidoptera has been my main interest. Before moving here, I was very much involved with the Scandinavian fauna and still have my Nordic collection."

In regards to purchasing any livestock from Bjorn, he writes, "In Australia the laws are very strict and one cannot take any native wildlife or plants out of the country without an export permit. I have replied to (any and all) requesting livestock that they need an export permit and that I under no circumstances am willing to help them if it involves anything illegal. I’m not putting my reputation on line for someone who is not willing to apply for a permit. I know that some Australian insects can catch a huge amount of money overseas, and therefore these people try to obtain these insects any way they can, sometimes giving the impression that they are doing research. Luckily I have a vast contact network, so I would in most cases know if these people are serious or not. Also if they are doing some serious research they will of course arrange for the necessary permits."

Please do not contact Bjorn with any requests for living material unless you have obtained a proper legal import permit, which usually is not available unless you have a government inspected containment facility. Bill Oehlke

Email: Bjorn Fjellstad
Website: http://www.aus-lep.com/index.html

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.