Citheronia splendens

Druce, 1886

Splendid Royal Moth

Species Guides

Citheronia splendens sinaloensis

Citheronia splendens, the splendid royal , is a large saturniid moth found from southern Arizona southward into central and southeastern Mexico. have a wingspan of 106–150 mm and are active from July to August. The was first described by Herbert Druce in 1886 and is recognized by three described .

Citheronia splendens by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Splendid Royal Moth Caterpillar Moulting - Flickr - treegrow by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Citheronia splendens: //ˌsɪθəˈroʊniə ˈsplɛndɛnz//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

can be distinguished from other Citheronia by geographic range and wing pattern details. The wingspan of 106–150 mm places it among the larger Saturniidae. Larvae in early instars bear distinctive club-tipped spines described as 'fly swatter' structures, similar to those of C. regalis (hickory horned devil) and C. lobesis.

Images

Distribution

Southern Arizona, USA, southward through central and southeastern Mexico. The C. s. sinaloensis occurs in central and northwestern Mexico and southeastern Arizona; C. s. splendens in Jalisco, México, Guerrero, and Chiapas; and C. s. queretana in Mexico.

Seasonality

are on wing from July to August.

Diet

Larvae feed on Gossypium thurberi (cotton), Rhus trilobata, Arctostaphylos pungens, and Rhus choriophylla.

Host Associations

Gossypium thurberi - larval plantcotton
Rhus trilobata - larval plant
Arctostaphylos pungens - larval plant
Rhus choriophylla - larval plant

Life Cycle

Females lay in groups of 1 to 4 on the sides of plant leaves. Caterpillars initially resemble bird droppings and feed primarily in the evening. As they mature, they begin feeding during the day on leaf petioles and stems. In September, larvae burrow underground to pupate. emerge the following year and do not feed.

Behavior

Early instar larvae are feeders, shifting to feeding as they mature. Larvae burrow underground to pupate. are short-lived and do not feed.

Similar Taxa

Citheronia regalisSimilar large size and early instar larvae with club-tipped 'fly swatter' spines; distinguished by eastern North American distribution
Citheronia lobesisSimilar early instar larval and color pattern; occurs in Central America
Citheronia laocoonSimilar early instar larval appearance; common in southeastern Brazil, distinguished by South American distribution

More Details

Subspecies

Three are recognized: C. s. splendens (Jalisco, México, Guerrero, Chiapas), C. s. sinaloensis Hoffmann, 1942 (central and northwestern Mexico, southeastern Arizona), and C. s. queretana Vázquez-G., 1944 (Mexico).

Larval morphology

First and second instar larvae possess distinctive club-shaped tips on their spines, a trait shared with C. regalis and C. lobesis but not present in all Citheronia .