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Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 40(1), 1986, 54
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GENERAL NOTE
SATURNIA WALTERORUM (SATURNIIDAE) IN MEXICO: A NEW NATIONAL RECORD
Until now Saturnia walterorum (Hogue & Johnson) had not been taken in Mexico. It had been known to occur only in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange counties of California. A previous reference to specimens captured in San Luis Obispo Co. (Tilden 1945, Pan-Pac. Entomol. 21:32-33) is in error, as the cited specimens were examined by Tuskes and Collins (1981, J. Lepid. Soc. 35:1-21) and found not to be typical walterorum.
Both male and female are diurnal, and are not attracted to light. The seasonal flight period appears restricted to a few of the warmest days between late February and early June (Tuskes 1974, J. Lepid. Soc. 28:172-174). The insect is not abundant, and is easily overlooked.
Our experience with this species in coastal San Diego Co. suggests the peak daily flight period for males is mid-morning, diminishing greatly before noon.
On 1 April 1985 at 1130 h, we placed two newly emerged captive-reared females of this species in a screen cage among chaparral near Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, about 100 km south of the United States border. The small amount of natural vegetation at this site was similar to that of areas near San Diego, California, and included Rhus laurina (Nuttall) and species of Ceanothus, Rhamnus and Adenostoma. Rhus laurina appears to us to be the preferred food plant of Saturnia walterorum in the coastal areas of its range.
At 1140 h a single male was attracted to the calling females and was captured. No additional males had appeared by 1300 h, at which time we left the area.
The captured specimen was placed in the San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego, California.
Kirby L. Wolfe and Marvin D. Valverde, Route 5, Box 169-C, Escondido, California 92025.
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