Saturniinae

Tribes of Saturniinae in Indiana

Subfamily Saturniinae — The Giant Silk Moths

Boisduval, 1837

Etymology

Saturniinae: Pertaining to the Roman god Saturn; perhaps a reference to the presence of concentric-ringed eyespots on many of the species within the family and subfamily — reminiscent of the rings surrounding the planet Saturn.

The suffix inae is standard taxonomic nomenclature to indicate that word pertains to a zoological subfamily.

Relief of Saturn — 2nd Century AD bas-relief depicting the god Saturnus with a scythe (unknown Roman artist)

Pronunciation

sa-tur-nee-eye-nee

Overview

Saturniinae are medium to large-sized silk moths that comprise one of eight or nine subfamilies within the family Saturniidae. Although the larvae of most species in this subfamily are polyphagous, some species, such as the tulip-tree silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera), are more specialized eaters. The caterpillars pupate in above-ground cocoons spun with silk.

Silky cocoon of cecropia moth (*Hyalophora cecropia*)

The adult’s wings contain cryptic eyespots used to confuse and startle predators. Their antennae are quadripectinate and broader in males. Except for the promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), all Indiana species are nocturnal. As with other Saturniids, the adults have no digestive system, do not eat, and exist as adults only long enough for reproduction.

Discal eyespot of polyphemus moth (*Antheraea polyphemus*)

Quadripectinate antennae of luna moth (*Actias luna*) — male (L), female (R)

Taxonomic Level	Worldwide	North America	Midwestern USA	Indiana
Distribution of Subfamily Saturniinae
Tribes	5^a	2	2	2
Genera	76	8-9	5	4-5^b
Species	~1089	~50	6-7	5-7^c

^a Of the five recognized worldwide tribes of Saturniinae, three (Bunaeini, Micragonini, and Urotini) are nearly all exclusive to the African continent.
^bField observers have documented the genus Samia as nearby as Illinois.
^cGenus Samia includes one introduced species from Asia, the ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia). The ailanthus silkmoth escaped cultivation for silk production in the United States and has sporadic sightings along the eastern seaboard into the Midwest. It is undetermined if this species constitutes an established wild population in the United States.

Type Genus

Saturnia, a genus first described by Franz Paula von Schrank in 1802.

Wing Venation

Saturniinae in Indiana

The map, graph, and data below represent the Indiana sightings of the tribe Saturniinae. 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 18 December 2024.

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 80 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Monroe: 134
Washington: 119
Marion: 115
Hamilton: 110
Brown: 95
Scott: 74
Porter: 67

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Tribes

Total Sightings by Year

Total number of observations (all years combined): 1264
Number of field observers: 428

Photo Credits

Attacini and Saturniini courtesy of Rick Malad. Hyalophora cecropia cocoon courtesy of Tim Bailey. Antheraea polyphemus (eyespot) courtesy of Isaac Morris. Actias luna antennae courtesy of Chris Joll (male) and Amanda Smith (female).