To the north and east, El Salvador is bordered by Honduras; the Pacific Ocean is to the south and southwest, and Guatemala is on the west and northwest.
The country consists of a central plateau lying between two volcanic mountain ranges that run east to west. There is a narrow Pacific coastal belt, less than 24 kilometers (less than 15 miles) wide. The plateau has an average elevation of about 610 meters (about 2,000 feet). High, rugged mountains are found in the extreme northwest. The highest point in the country is Volcán de Santa Ana, 2,385 meters (7,825 feet) above sea level.
Although El Salvador lies within the tropics, high elevation moderates the climate in many regions. The climate of the coastal strip is tropical. The plateau and highlands are semitropical and temperate, and the mountain regions have a temperate climate. The average annual rainfall is about 1,830 millimeters (about 72 inches), and the rainy season lasts from May to October. The average annual temperature of San Salvador, the capital, is 24°C (75°F).
I have not seen published reports on the Saturnidae of El Salvador, but I suspect the cooler climate and considerable deforestation along the narrow coastal strip may greatly limit the number of species found in El Salvador.
The Saturniidae listed below are "guesswork" based on published accounts for Honduras (H - limited but accurate reports), Guatemala (G - limited but accurate reports), Nicaragua (N - extensive and accurate reports) and Mexico (M - extensive and accurate reports).
Species expected in El Salvador, based on populations in a surrounding country, are listed with denotation. Confirmed reports or corrections would be greatly appreciated. I have only included the Mexican and Nicaraguan species when one or more other countries or both of those countries are reported.
Lonomia serranoi may be an indigenous species.
|
|
|
|
HEMILEUCINAE
|