Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis)
Sept 11, 2019 8:57:26 GMT
nomad, deliasfanatic, and 3 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Sept 11, 2019 8:57:26 GMT
This is one of 2 drawers of our native Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis) which I have collected myself. This is my personal favorite among the several species of large Saturniid moth present on the Eastern seaboard of the United States. For the most part, it is generally not seen or found quite as often as most other species. In fact as a collector, I would have to really call it "localized" where it is found as its food plant requirements are somewhat specific. It's large larva feed upon the leaves of Hickory and Black Walnut almost exclusively... Now, don't get me wrong; some breeders may have tried other things (perhaps with some measure of success). However, in nature this is what the species thrives on.
The larvae of this moth are affectionately known as "Hickory-horned Devils". By the 4th and 5th instars they truly look rather menacing. In my drawer you will see a "freeze-dried" example of the beast. And I can honestly tell you that anything looking to bother one of these feisty fellows will soon find out that they can and will throw their head back or side to side in an attempt to fend off any bother with that frontal antlered battery.
As for the adults, males are most commonly encountered in the wild and are quite active in their search for females. Several may accost a freshly emerged female at once. Females are only occasionally seen at lights so finding one is pretty special in its own right. Males typically measure about 5 to 5 1/4 inches with some runtier examples present here and there (poor food source or too much competition). Females are magnificent in size and typically measure close to 6 inches; with some "heftier" examples coming in at 6 1/2 inches. Very impressive and rivaling our native Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia) in sheer wing expanse but, not wing area !
It really is kind of a comforting thing if one has this species in ones area because it is an indicator of a healthy relic forest nearby. Other Silkmoths are much more gregarious in their food likes so for that reason they are not quite as special. Heck, cecropia larvae can even be found on boxelder (a weed species) of tree -- if you will.
This species can be found throughout the Appalachian Mountains starting in southern Illinois on down south thru Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas as well as Missouri and Arkansas at least. Also, parts of rural Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York etc...
The adults seem to emerge in gradual numbers. First, appearing about the 4th week of June with the final ones finishing up late July or early August. The bold colors associated with this species are reminiscent of the colors worn by royalty or persons of regal status. Hence, the other common name it is known by: Regal Moth
The larvae of this moth are affectionately known as "Hickory-horned Devils". By the 4th and 5th instars they truly look rather menacing. In my drawer you will see a "freeze-dried" example of the beast. And I can honestly tell you that anything looking to bother one of these feisty fellows will soon find out that they can and will throw their head back or side to side in an attempt to fend off any bother with that frontal antlered battery.
As for the adults, males are most commonly encountered in the wild and are quite active in their search for females. Several may accost a freshly emerged female at once. Females are only occasionally seen at lights so finding one is pretty special in its own right. Males typically measure about 5 to 5 1/4 inches with some runtier examples present here and there (poor food source or too much competition). Females are magnificent in size and typically measure close to 6 inches; with some "heftier" examples coming in at 6 1/2 inches. Very impressive and rivaling our native Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia) in sheer wing expanse but, not wing area !
It really is kind of a comforting thing if one has this species in ones area because it is an indicator of a healthy relic forest nearby. Other Silkmoths are much more gregarious in their food likes so for that reason they are not quite as special. Heck, cecropia larvae can even be found on boxelder (a weed species) of tree -- if you will.
This species can be found throughout the Appalachian Mountains starting in southern Illinois on down south thru Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas as well as Missouri and Arkansas at least. Also, parts of rural Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York etc...
The adults seem to emerge in gradual numbers. First, appearing about the 4th week of June with the final ones finishing up late July or early August. The bold colors associated with this species are reminiscent of the colors worn by royalty or persons of regal status. Hence, the other common name it is known by: Regal Moth