Antheraea paphia

Antheraea paphia, the South India small tussore, is a moth of the family Saturniidae found in India[1] and Sri Lanka.[2]

Antheraea paphia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Genus: Antheraea
Species:
A. paphia
Binomial name
Antheraea paphia
Male and female

Description

The male is reddish or yellowish. Costal brown and grey fascia of forewings reaching the apex. Hyaline and ocellated spots (eyespots) are much larger than that of Antheraea roylei. The submarginal line of the hindwings close to the margin. There is no marginal yellow line. Female may be pinkish brown or bright yellowish fawn. Hyaline and ocellated spots are larger than male. Larva green colored with paired dorsal series of yellow humps. White lunulate spots on 5th and 6th somites have purple border, whereas a lateral yellow line from 7th somite ending in a dilated brown band on anal somite. Spiracles are yellow. The cocoon is brownish grey, hard, and oval, attached to the host plant by a silken peduncle.[3]

Ecology

The larvae feed on several trees such as Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia tomentosa, T. arjuna, Lagerstroemia parviflora, and Madhuca indica, and the silk that composes their cocoons is sometimes used in the production of tussar silk.

References


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