Citheronia

Species of Citheronia in Indiana

Regal Moth image — Regal Moth
(*Citheronia regalis*)

Genus Citheronia

Hübner, 1819

Etymology

Citheronia: Presumably named for Cithaeron or Kithairon, a mountain range in Greece, which in Greek mythology, was sacred to the god Dionysus.

Pronunciation

sith-ur-oh-nee-uh

Overview

Citheronia is a New World genus of silkworm moths in the family Saturniidae.

Taxonomic Level	Worldwide	North America	Midwestern USA	Indiana
Distribution of Genus Citheronia
Species	~47	14	2^a	1

^aThe other Midwestern species of Citheronia is the pine-devil moth (Citheronia sepulcralis). Native to the southeastern United States, observers have documented it in Kentucky and Ohio.

Type Species

Citheronia regalis, first described in 1793 by Johan Christian Fabricius as Bombyx regalis.

Citheronia in Indiana

The map, graph, and data below represent the Indiana sightings of the genus Citheronia. All sightings were confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP). All data is current as of 17 September 2024.

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 16 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Monroe: 16
Brown: 13
Jefferson: 8
Washington: 4
Putnam: 3
Switzerland: 2
Orange: 2

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of Michele Pollock.