Aglia tau

Aglia tau (Aglia tau)

Phylum — arthropoda
Class — insecta
Order — lepidoptera
Family — saturniidae

Genus – aglia

Appearance

Wingspan 60–84 mm. The sexually dimorphic and dichromatic adults are like no other moth from the region, with the larger females being less well marked and less brightly colored than males, which have less pointed forewings. Although most adults are yellowish-orange, some are heavily dusted with dark-brown or black scales; the latter are especially common in cooler, mountainous areas. The eyespots have iridescent purple centers.

Habitat

Aglia tau occurs from Northern Spain across parts of Europe and temperate Asia to the Pacific. In Europe it misses in the north (Northern Scandinavia) and extreme south (southern Mediterranean) and on the British Isles.

Behavior

The moth flies in one generation from March to July depending on the location.

Most adults emerge in the early morning, with females calling/scenting that same morning, often from the base of trees up which they have climbed. Although the females are nocturnal, the diurnal males will zigzag wildly through open woodland on sunny mornings (9–11h) in search of these once they have picked up a scent trail, with several often piling up on the same hapless object of their desire. Pairing lasts for only a few hours. After separation, males fly off to rest and usually cease all activity by midafternoon. Come evening, the female climbs to the highest vantage point possible before launching herself clumsily towards the nearest shadow which, often as not, is a tree. When at rest both sexes generally sit on tree-trunks or the forest floor with their wings closed vertically over the abdomen.

Diet

The larvae primarily feed on European beech, but also birch, Alnus glutinosa, Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia. The butterflies have a rudimentary proboscis and do not feed.

Reproduction

The eggs are deposited on the trunk and branches. Caterpillars are found from May to July. The larvae are initially gregarious, but rapidly become solitary and sedentary. In the later instars they often rest in a rolled-up leaf between feeding bouts. The pupa overwinters in a loose cocoon in the litter.

In captivity

In captivity, the caterpillars can feed on mountain ash, birch, linden and apple trees. Most likely, the caterpillars do not fit the leaves of plants growing under pines, probably affected by the influence of phytoncides.

When keeping caterpillars in large numbers at early age it is necessary to create sufficient space in the cages so that the caterpillars can freely settle on the underside of the leaves and do not experience the anxiety of crowding. For pupation it is better to use damp moss.

Pupation takes place in a light spider cocoon, the process takes place for about 6 days. The pupa normally overwinters in damp sawdust or sphagnum at a temperature of +5 to -5°C and moderate humidity, probably withstands lower temperatures. Butterflies appear in early to mid-May. Breeding was carried out repeatedly with good results, a long-term culture with periodic renewal is possible, the caterpillars appear in 10-12 days.