Syntherata pseudescarlata

Syntherata pseudescarlata Lane, Edwards & Naumann, 2010
SATURNIIDAE, BOMBYCOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Syntherata pseudescarlata
first instars
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

These Caterpillars initially are spiny and green, with a black line along each side,and black markings on the thorax.

last (fifth) instar
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

Third instar caterpillars are green with yellow tubercles with yellow setae.

Mature caterpillars are usually lime green, and have a yellow line along each side, and green tubercles along the back, each with pale green setae. There is also a yellow form of the caterpillars.

last instar, yellow form
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

The caterpillars have been found feeding on

Green Plum ( Buchanania obovata, ANACARDIACEAE ),

Billy Goat Plum ( Planchonia careya, LECYTHIDACEAE ), and

Red Ash ( Alphitonia excelsa, RHAMNACEAE ).

cocoon
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

The cocoon is brown and oval, typically attached to a twig.

male
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

The basic adult moth is yellow with several zig-zag brown lines across each wing. The forewings also each have a brown-outlined transparent spot in the middle. The hindwings each have a dark spot near the middle.

female
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

There is some variation in the coloration of adults of this species. The moth typically has a wingspan of 11 cms.

male, dark form
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.

The species has been found in Australia in

Queensland.

female, pale form
Photo: courtesy of David A. Lane, (Ted) E.D. Edwards, & Stefan Naumann, from
A revision of the genus Syntherata Maasen, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) within Australia, with the description of three new species, and descriptions of their life histories,
The European Entomologist, Volume 3, Part 1 (2010), pp. 21-27.