Subfamily Saturniinae - Silkmoths

Classification · Explanation of Names

First and fourth instars - Callosamia promethea

Promethea Moth pupa - Callosamia promethea

Green caterpillar with red and yellow dots - Antheraea polyphemus

Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

No Taxon (Moths)

Superfamily Bombycoidea

Family Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)

Subfamily Saturniinae (Silkmoths)

Explanation of Names

Named after the type genus, Saturnia, which was itself named after Juno, the queen of the gods in Roman mythology. One of her other names was Saturnia, because she was daughter of the god Saturn.

Contributed by Cotinis on 13 December, 2005 - 10:18am
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Last updated 6 September, 2006 - 12:11am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2010 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version