Lesser Atlas Moth (Saturnidae Saturniinae Samia cynthia, syn. advena)
This moth species is native to China, but was imported to America in the 1800's--along with its native larval foodplant, Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven).  The purpose was to start a rival silk industry, but the quality of the Samia silk is inferior to the silk moth used by the Chinese.  Since then, the moth and the Ailanthus have become endemic to its new home.  It has also been bred extensively into a number of various subspecies forms.  Interestingly, the Lesser Atlas can cross breed with America's native Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea) and produce viable offspring.  The larvae of both species have similar, communal behavior habits, tending to die off if separated from the group and developing at different rates.   Raising the caterpillars on Ailanthus leaves in an enclosed space can be hazardous, since the chewed leaves produce a gas that is nearly unbreatheable.  The male and female moths look quite similar.


                        The ova were 1.5 mm / 0.06 inch in diameter.         A new born exiting the ova


The 1st  instar larvae were 4 mm / 0.16 inches long.
The ova hatched on May 2, 1999.


The 2nd instar larvae were about 8 mm / 0.3 inches long
Most of the caterpillars began the change just 3 days later.

These 3rd  instar larvae were about 1.5 cm / 0.6 inches long.
Six days later, on May 11, 1999.


These 4th instar larvae were about 1.9 cm / 0.7 inches long.
Note that there are still some new 3rd  instar larvae present at the same time.
May 13, 1999.


This stretched out 5th instar larva is about 3 cm / 1.2 inches long.
May 23, 1999.

The mature larva was about 2.7 cm / 1.1 inches long.
June 2, 1999.


The pupa is formed inside a heavy silk cocoon;
It was 1.4 cm / 0.6 inches long.
Pupation took place on June 14, 1999, about 1.5 months from hatching.


Top side of moth.
Wingspan  is  11 cm / 4.4 inches.
Eclosure took place in about 2 weeks in  July, 1999.
Underside of moth.


And here we go again...
 

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kilroy
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This page last updated 6-Sep-2001.