Citheronia splendens

Druce, 1886

Splendid Royal Moth

Citheronia splendens, the splendid , is a large 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 pattern details. The wingspan of 106–150 mm places it among the larger . in early bear distinctive -tipped described as ' 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 from July to August.

Diet

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

Host Associations

Gossypium thurberi - larval cotton
Rhus trilobata - larval
Arctostaphylos pungens - larval
Rhus choriophylla - larval

Life Cycle

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

Behavior

Early 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 with -tipped ' swatter' ; distinguished by eastern North distribution
Citheronia lobesisSimilar early larval and color pattern; occurs in Central America
Citheronia laocoonSimilar early larval appearance; common in southeastern Brazil, distinguished by South 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 possess distinctive -shaped tips on their , a trait shared with C. regalis and C. lobesis but not present in all Citheronia .