Calosaturnia walterorum

Distinguished from other Calosaturnia species by geographic range; C. walterorum is the only member of the genus recorded from California and Baja California. Separation from related saturniid genera such as Antheraea and Saturnia requires examination of genitalia and wing venation patterns. Adults lack the prominent eyespots characteristic of many larger Saturniidae.

Chaparral and coastal sage scrub communities in southern California and northwestern Baja California. Associated with foothill and montane zones where host plants occur.

United States (California: southern coastal and transverse ranges) and Mexico (Baja California). The range is restricted and discontinuous, with populations concentrated in suitable habitat patches.

Adults have been recorded from February through May, with peak activity in March and April. This early spring emergence distinguishes it from many sympatric saturniids that fly later in the season.

• Arbutus menziesii - larval hostMadrone; primary host in California populations
• Arbutus - larval hostGenus-level association reported

Larval herbivore on broadleaf evergreen trees; contributes to nutrient cycling in chaparral ecosystems. Adults do not feed and have limited dispersal capability.

Of minor economic importance; occasionally encountered by collectors due to its restricted range. Not known to be a pest species. The specific epithet honors the Walter family, who collected the type series.

• Calosaturnia mendocinoOccurs in northern California and Oregon; allopatric with C. walterorum but similar in size and general appearance. Separated by geographic distribution and subtle differences in wing pattern.
• Antheraea polyphemusSympatric giant silkmoth with larger size, prominent hindwing eyespots, and broader host range. C. walterorum lacks eyespots and is smaller with more subdued coloration.

• Saturniidae
• silkmoth
• endemic
• California
• Baja California
• chaparral
• spring emergence

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy