Saturniidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saturniidae |
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| Male small emperor moth, Saturnia pavonia (Saturniinae) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Series: | Saturniiformes |
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Subfamilies | |
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Saturniidae is a fascinating family of Lepidoptera, which includes moths and butterflies. Members of this family are often called saturniids, emperor moths, royal moths, or giant silk moths. There are about 2,300 known species in this group.
These moths are famous for being some of the largest in the world. Adult saturniids have big, rounded wings and thick bodies covered in soft, hair-like scales. They have very small mouthparts, so they cannot eat as adults.
Many saturniids are brightly colored. Their wings often have clear eyespots or "windows." Males usually have larger, feathery antennae than females. This helps them find mates.
Most adult saturniids have wingspans from 2.5 to 15 centimeters (1 to 6 inches). However, some tropical species, like the amazing Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), can have wingspans up to 30 centimeters (12 inches)! This makes them among the biggest insects alive today.
Contents
Where Do Saturniid Moths Live?
Most saturniid species live in warm, wooded areas. You can find the greatest variety in the tropical parts of the Americas and Mexico. However, these moths live all over the world.
About 12 species are found in Europe. One of these is the emperor moth, which lives in the British Isles. In North America, there are 68 known species. About 42 of these live north of Mexico and Southern California.
The Life Cycle of Saturniid Moths
The life of a saturniid moth is quite interesting! Some species produce only one generation each year. Others can have several generations in a single year.
Moths that emerge in spring and summer develop quickly. Those that emerge in autumn enter a special resting state called diapause. They will then appear the following spring. Scientists are still learning how pupae know when to develop fast or when to rest. It seems that the length of the day and cooler temperatures play a big role.
Eggs
Female moths lay their eggs on a chosen host plant. Some females can lay up to 200 eggs! Other species lay their eggs one by one or in small groups.
The eggs are usually round and a bit flat. They are smooth and can be clear or whitish in color.
Larvae (Caterpillars)
Saturniid caterpillars are large, often 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long when fully grown. They are stout and cylindrical. Most have bumps or spines that can be hairy.
Many caterpillars use camouflage to hide. Their colors and patterns help them blend in with their surroundings. Some caterpillars are more colorful, which can be a warning to predators. A few species have stinging hairs. It's best not to touch large, hairy caterpillars unless you are an expert.
Some caterpillars, like the luna moth (Actias luna) and Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), can make clicking sounds when disturbed. This might be a warning signal.
Most saturniid caterpillars eat leaves from trees and shrubs. Some, like certain Hemileucinae species, eat grasses. They grow by shedding their skin several times, usually four to six times. This process is called ecdysis. Before they turn into pupae, they often go through a "wandering stage" and might change color to blend in even better.
Most caterpillars feed alone. However, some live in groups. Young Hemileucinae caterpillars often live together and have stinging hairs. Caterpillars of the Lonomia genus contain a powerful poison that can cause serious health problems if touched.
Pupae
Most saturniid caterpillars spin a silken cocoon. They usually do this in the leaves of their host plant, in leaf litter on the ground, or in cracks in rocks or logs. The cocoons of larger saturniids can be used to make silk fabric, much like the silk from silkworms.
However, some species, like the regal moth (Citheronia regalis), burrow into the soil. They create a small chamber underground to pupate. These underground pupae do not use much silk.
Once inside the cocoon or underground chamber, the caterpillar sheds its skin one last time and becomes a pupa. The pupa then undergoes metamorphosis for about two weeks. After this, it either emerges as an adult moth or enters diapause. During metamorphosis, the pupa transforms into an adult moth.
Adults
Adult female moths emerge with all their eggs ready. They "call" for males by releasing special scents called pheromones. The timing of this "calling" varies by species.
Males have very sensitive, feather-like antennae. They can detect these chemical signals from up to a mile away! Males will fly several miles in one night to find a female and mate. Females usually wait until after they have mated to fly.
Adult saturniid moths cannot eat because their mouthparts are very small and their digestive systems are not fully formed. They live off the fat they stored as caterpillars. Because they cannot eat, adult moths usually live for only a week or less. Their main goal is to reproduce.
One interesting species is the promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea). Females of this species will mate with several males. Males will also mate with several females. Females that mate with more than one male can lay about 10% more eggs!
Why Saturniid Moths Are Important to Humans
Some saturniid species can be considered pests. For example, the orange-striped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria) eats oak leaves. The pandora pinemoth (Coloradia pandora) feeds on pine trees. Hemileuca oliviae eats range grasses.
Other species are very important for making wild silk. These include the Chinese tussah moth (Antheraea pernyi) and the ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia).
Some saturniid caterpillars, like the mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina), are even used as a food source in certain parts of the world.
Most saturniid moths are harmless. Many of the more beautiful species, especially those in the Antheraea genus, can be raised by children or in school classes as educational pets. Their soft, silken cocoons make a nice keepsake.
However, some species, like those in the genus Automeris, have stinging spines. As mentioned before, caterpillars of the genus Lonomia contain a powerful poison that can cause serious health problems if touched. It is always best to observe caterpillars without touching them unless you are with an expert.
Saturniid Moth Families
The Saturniidae family has many different groups, called subfamilies. Most of these moths live in the Americas, especially in tropical regions. Scientists believe that the first saturniid moths likely came from the Americas.
Here are some of the subfamilies:
- Subfamily Oxyteninae (3 genera, 35 species)
- Subfamily Cercophaninae (4 genera, 10 species)
- Subfamily Arsenurinae (10 genera, 60 species, found in the Americas)
- Subfamily Ceratocampinae (27 genera, 170 species, found in the Americas)
- Subfamily Hemileucinae (51 genera, 630 species, found in the Americas)
- Subfamily Agliinae (1 genus, 3 species)
- Subfamily Ludiinae (disputed) (8 genera, found in Africa)
- Subfamily Salassinae (1 genus, 12 species, found in tropical regions)
- Subfamily Saturniinae (59 genera, 480 species, found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions)
See Also
- Carthaea saturnioides, a moth that is a close relative to the Saturniidae family.
