Saturniidae of Nova Scotia

The following Saturniidae are found in Nova Scotia in eastern Canada. They are grouped into respective subfamilies and tribes.

Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a page with pictures and information.

If you have additional information regarding flight times (listed below table) or additional species to add, please send email to oehlkew@islandtelecom.com

Visit North American Catocala (Underwing Moths) website.

Visit Nova Scotia Catocala (Underwing Moths) website.

Visit Sphingidae of the Americas (Hawk Moths/Sphinx Moths) website.

Visit Nova Scotia Sphingidae (Hawk Moths/Sphinx Moths) website.

Ceratocampinae Anisota virginiensis Dryocampa rubicunda

Hemileucinae

Saturniinae: Attacini Hyalophora cecropia Hyalophora columbia

Saturniinae: Saturniini Actias luna Antheraea polyphemus

Ceratocampinae Anisota virginiensis female. Pink-striped Oakworm Moth (m: 29-36mm; f: 43-51mm). Males (much different appearance) fly in morning; females at night. Females tend to be without dark spotting or with reduced spotting. All PEI female A. virginiensis show very clear "complexion" with stong contrast between fw purplish marginal area and orangey median area. Dryocampa rubicunda male. Rosy Maple (m: 32-44mm; f: 40-50mm). Males tend to have more pink on wings, are considerably smaller than females, and have more triangular wings than females. There is an almost pure white form called "alba". Both sexes come to lights, males much more abundantly than females. Saturniinae: Attacini Hyalophora cecropia male. Cecropia (m: 120-145mm; f: 130-150mm). Males and females both come to lights. There is considerable variation in the width of the red lines from specimen to specimen. Occasionally the forewing crescents are absent or greatly reduced. Hyalophora columbia male. Columbia (m: mm; f: mm). Saturniinae: Saturniini Actias luna male. (wingspan approximately 115-125mm). This species is single brooded in Canada with moths on PEI on the wing from very late May until very early July. The outer margin is traced with either a thin line of maroon scaling or yellow scaling. The body sides may or may not have a line of pink scales. Antheraea polyphemus male. (wingspan approximately 125mm). Ground colour varies considerable from reddish brown to tan. Occasionally I see a melanic form with much grey scaling on the wings and sides of the body. Flies from very late May into early July.

Antheraea polyphemus male, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia,
June 25, 2011, courtesy of Stephen MacDonald.

Actias luna fly from mid May into very early July.

Anisota virginiensis fly from mid June to early July.

Antheraea polyphemus fly from late May until early July.

Dryocampa rubicunda fly from early June until August, sometimes attempting a second brood.

Hyalophora cecropia fly from mid June to early July.

Hyalophora columbia fly from mid June to very early July.

Since 1987 or thereabouts I have been meeting with Derek Bridgehouse in Malay Falls in late June to sample the Saturniidae and Sphingidae in the area. All six species are present in the area and all are quite common, except perhaps Anisota virginiensis which we see less frequently at our lights.

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