Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis)
Mar 23, 2021 10:14:21 GMT -8
Adam Cotton, Paul K, and 1 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Mar 23, 2021 10:14:21 GMT -8
The Royal Walnut Moth (Citheronia regalis) is for me the personal favorite to collect
amongst our Eastern seaboard species of Saturniidae. 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 for which this moth is also known: Regal Moth
This is my favorite large saturniid to find and collect where possible. For the most part,
it is generally not encountered quite as often as most of our other eastern silkmoths. In fact, as a
collector I consider it a more "localized" species where found due to its somewhat specific food plant
requirements.
You see, its large larvae feed upon the leaves of Hickory and Black Walnut almost exclusively... Now,
don't get me wrong; some breeders may have tried other food sources (with some measure of success).
However, in nature this is what the species thrives on.
Below, I show one of my drawers dedicated to this species. ALL have been wild collected !
This species can be found throughout the Appalachian mountain chain starting from southern Illinois on down south
thru Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, as well as Missouri and Arkansas at least. Parts of rural Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and northern New York also serve as possible species locales.
It should be a rather comforting thought if one has this species in ones area because it is an indicator of a healthy relic
forest nearby. Adult males are the most commonly encountered in the wild. They are quite active in their search for
females. Several may accost a freshly emerged female at once.
Females are only occasionally seen much less encountered at lights; so, finding one is mighty special in its own right.
Males typically measure 5 to 5 1/4 inches in wingspan whilst the much larger females come in at around 6 inches -- with
some examples measuring upwards of 6 1/2 in wing expanse.
The larvae of this moth are affectionately known as "Hickory horned Devils". At the latter stages in their development the
caterpillars truly look rather menacing. In my drawer you will see two examples of these "freeze-dried" beasts.
Anything, looking to bother one of these feisty fellows will soon find out they can and will throw their heads back or side
to side in an attempt to fend off any bother with that (frontal) antlered battery !
The adults seem to emerge in gradual numbers over the coarse of about 5-6 weeks. Emergence usually begins about the
last week of June -- with the latest emerging the first week of August. These are personal observations...
Below, I offer a close-up of one of my larval beasts:
My "freeze-dried" larvae were acquired from a lepidopterist whom I've known for years. Both were acquired over
the coarse of many years... He originally had 4 of them. He had these larvae (as well as a number of other
species) prepared as such --- thru his availability to a freeze-drying machine.
I would have to say that structurally ALL the larvae I saw were remarkable in their preservation !
In terms of natural looking colors most generally held up "decently" however, greens (as in life)
are still impossible to maintain. Color retention (overall) was reasonably consistent but, occasional
"darker" examples were present.
Below, a close-up of that remarkable frontal battery !
Here is a side profile of my "stick-grasping" example...
A bit of a (darker) example but, still a remarkable piece.
So, for now that's what I have to say about this splendid species of moth;
located right here east of the Mississippi.
amongst our Eastern seaboard species of Saturniidae. 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 for which this moth is also known: Regal Moth
This is my favorite large saturniid to find and collect where possible. For the most part,
it is generally not encountered quite as often as most of our other eastern silkmoths. In fact, as a
collector I consider it a more "localized" species where found due to its somewhat specific food plant
requirements.
You see, its large larvae feed upon the leaves of Hickory and Black Walnut almost exclusively... Now,
don't get me wrong; some breeders may have tried other food sources (with some measure of success).
However, in nature this is what the species thrives on.
Below, I show one of my drawers dedicated to this species. ALL have been wild collected !
This species can be found throughout the Appalachian mountain chain starting from southern Illinois on down south
thru Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, as well as Missouri and Arkansas at least. Parts of rural Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and northern New York also serve as possible species locales.
It should be a rather comforting thought if one has this species in ones area because it is an indicator of a healthy relic
forest nearby. Adult males are the most commonly encountered in the wild. They are quite active in their search for
females. Several may accost a freshly emerged female at once.
Females are only occasionally seen much less encountered at lights; so, finding one is mighty special in its own right.
Males typically measure 5 to 5 1/4 inches in wingspan whilst the much larger females come in at around 6 inches -- with
some examples measuring upwards of 6 1/2 in wing expanse.
The larvae of this moth are affectionately known as "Hickory horned Devils". At the latter stages in their development the
caterpillars truly look rather menacing. In my drawer you will see two examples of these "freeze-dried" beasts.
Anything, looking to bother one of these feisty fellows will soon find out they can and will throw their heads back or side
to side in an attempt to fend off any bother with that (frontal) antlered battery !
The adults seem to emerge in gradual numbers over the coarse of about 5-6 weeks. Emergence usually begins about the
last week of June -- with the latest emerging the first week of August. These are personal observations...
Below, I offer a close-up of one of my larval beasts:
My "freeze-dried" larvae were acquired from a lepidopterist whom I've known for years. Both were acquired over
the coarse of many years... He originally had 4 of them. He had these larvae (as well as a number of other
species) prepared as such --- thru his availability to a freeze-drying machine.
I would have to say that structurally ALL the larvae I saw were remarkable in their preservation !
In terms of natural looking colors most generally held up "decently" however, greens (as in life)
are still impossible to maintain. Color retention (overall) was reasonably consistent but, occasional
"darker" examples were present.
Below, a close-up of that remarkable frontal battery !
Here is a side profile of my "stick-grasping" example...
A bit of a (darker) example but, still a remarkable piece.
So, for now that's what I have to say about this splendid species of moth;
located right here east of the Mississippi.
