Hodges#7761
Rothschildia lebeau
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Bombycoidea
- Family: Saturniidae
- Subfamily: Saturniinae
- Tribe: Attacini
- Genus: Rothschildia
- Species: lebeau
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Rothschildia lebeau: /rɒˈtʃɪldiə ləˈboʊ/
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Summary
Rothschildia lebeau, commonly known as 'Cuatro Espejos', is a large silk moth native to South Texas and is characterized by its striking wing coloration and patterns. It prefers areas rich in host plants for its larvae, with a notable presence around Brownsville.
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan of 10-12.5 cm; reddish brown to dark brown wings with an olive tinge and transparent triangular spots.
Identification Tips
Look for the large size and the characteristic transparent triangular spots on the wings; adults may be identified by their color variations.
Habitat
South Texas, particularly around Brownsville; usually associated with areas where host plants are available.
Distribution
Found in South Texas, with a range extending into parts of Mexico.
Diet
Larvae feed on various trees and shrubs such as Ash (Fraxinus), prickly ash (Zanthoxylum), and willow (Salix).
Life Cycle
Adults may take two to three years before emerging from the pupa. There are typically two flights per year in Texas, occurring from February to April and September to November.
Evolution
Part of the genus Rothschildia, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1896; known for its diversity with species found from North America to South America.
Misconceptions
Rothschildia lebeau forbesi was once treated as a full species but is now a recognized subspecies.
Tags
- Rothschildia
- lebeau
- silk moth
- South Texas
- Hodges#7761