Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Royal moth - Citheronia brissotii meridionalis


Order Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae
Adult
Royal moth
18-02-13 © Eduardo Haene
Eduardo tells us that "On February 18th we found this royal moth at the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. This is a nocturnal moth and females are as big as a hand (like the one illustrated here). Their wing design is so remarkable that it is interpreted as a skull. In this case it stares at you as if angry. Caterpillars have horns, that is why they are called "devil's caterpillar". Everything seems to be terrorific in this species, but it is beautiful. The caterpillar feeds on different plant species, like the Cock Spur Tree Erythrina crista-galli but is mainly found in the area of the peach tree, two species found at the Reserve."
Royal moth
28-11-09 © Jorge García Vicente
Royal moth
20-08-10 © Roberto Ares
Caterpillar
Royal moth
16-02-20 © Guillermo Costa
Known as devil's caterpillar