Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory

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Eine neue Freilandfutterpflanze der Raupen von Attacus aurantiacus W. Rothschild, 1895 von Kai Kecil, Kai-Archipel, Südost Molukken, Indonesien (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2020
Authors:L. H. Paukstadt, Paukstadt U.
Journal:Beiträge zur Kenntnis der wilden Seidenspinner
Volume:18
Issue:1
Start Page:30
Pagination:30-33
Date Published:06/2020
ISSN:1612-2674
Keywords:ATTACUS, FOODPLANT, INDONESIA, KAI ISLANDS, SATURNIIDAE
Abstract:

"In early 2020 an entomological expedition to the island of Kai Kecil, Southeast Moluccas, Indonesia was carried out by the senior author to continue studies on the wild silkmoths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). A primary foodplant for larvae of Attacus aurantiacus W. ROTHSCHILD, 1895 was found by F. Taschner on the island of Kai Kecil in May 1995, cf. Nässig & Taschner (1996). The plant has been identified being most probably Ficus sp. (Ficeae), cf. Paukstadt & Paukstadt (2014). Very recently the senior author identified a further primary foodplant for this rare species of the genus Attacus LINNAEUS, 1767 on the same island: Polyscias nodosa (BLUME) SEEM. of the genus Polyscias J. R. FORST. & G. FORST. (Araliaceae). The genus Polyscias contains more than 150 species. P. nodosa is a medium-sized generally unbranched tree growing to 30 m and attaining 50 cm in diameter. Vernacular names commonly used in the Moluccas are papaya hutan, kayu pohon papaya, and patah tulang. The distribution is Paläotropic from tropical Africa to the Pacific region. P. nodosa is found scattered in primary or more often in secondary evergreen or deciduous forests below 1000 m of altitude. The highest elevation on the island of Kai Kecil is below 100 m. In the wilderness and in the villages of Kai Island the larvae of A. aurantiacus have been never found on “traditional” foodplants thus far, which are known for A. atlas (LINNAEUS, 1758) from Southeast Asia (e.g., Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Persea americana MILL. (Lauraceae), Citrus L. (Rutaceae), and many others). P. nodosa has been recorded as one of the very few known primary food plants of A. crameri C. & R. FELDER, 1861 from the islands of Ambon and Seram, Moluccas, too, cf. Paukstadt & Paukstadt (2017). A second species of the genus Polyscias was observed being present on the island of Kai Kecil which remains unidentified at the time being. The early stages of A. aurantiacus were not confirmed at this tree species, thus far."

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