DISTRIBUTION:

The Saturnia centralis (forewing length: males: 41-49mm; females: 48-55 // Wingspan estimates: males: 74-84mm; females: 83-96mm) flies in
China: Yunnan, Sichuan;
Myanmar (Burma): Tangpengshan, Xingwei (East Myanmar), Kachin (northern Myanmar) and
northern Thailand: Provinz Chiang Mai; at altitudes from 2400m - 4000m (2000m in Thailand).

Visit Saturnia Comparison Chart for the (Eriogyna) group.

Saturnia centralis male, West Yunnan, China, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

Saturnia centralis female, Sichuan, China, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

Naumann and Loeffler write, "All wings are somewhat transparent. Generally, the species can be separated from S. cameronensis by its smaller size, the more falcate forewing, and differently coloured and shaped antemedian lines; from S. pyretorum by the larger basal dark patch of S. pyretorum, its even more falcate wing, and the much broader white area between the double postmedian lines. S. cidosa is smaller, has more rounded forewings, darker postmedian area of both fore- and especially hindwing and a very typical, intensely undulate postmedian line in the hindwing."

Saturnia centralis male, Provinz Chiang Mai, Thailand, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

Saturnia centralis female, Xingwie, Myanmar, courtesy of Stefan Naumann.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken in January-February, March-April, July, October, December, so this species probably broods continuously.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

The larger females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males (wingspan: mm). Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

Saturnia centralis female, Myanmar (Burma), courtesy of Robert Westphal

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

"Saturnia" is derived from the Latin Saturn. In Roman mythology, Saturn was a god of fertility and agriculture. He was commonly identified with the Greek god Cronus (Kronos), and there is an interesting story that explains how Cronus was transformed into Saturn.

The species name, centralis, is indicative of range of this species, central to the other moths in the Saturnia (Eriogyna) group.