An “American” silkmoth endemic to Himalayas, part I: life history and natural distribution of Antheraea compta Rothschild, 1899 (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae)

Abstract

Females of the uncommon Antheraea compta Rothschild, 1899 were collected at the natural habitat in the Tibetan Sub-Himalayas, descendants of which were reared on Quercus yunnanensis (Fagaceae) successfully, with all the preimaginal instars recorded morphologically. Correlated characters revealed a close relationship between this taxon and New World Antheraea spp., suggesting more attention and protection towards this key species is necessary in the future.