On the ecology of royal moths (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) in Buryatia

Royal Moth is a large heat-loving moths our latitudes, where they predominate in the seashore areas and in continental territories preference Subboreal zone. There are three species of Royal Moth in Buryatia: transpalearctic Eudia pavonia L. and Aglia tau L. (up to 55-56 degrees N) and South-Siberian-Palearchaearctic Caligula boisduvalii Ev. (up to 52 degrees N). Imago of Royal Moth doesn’t eat. Caterpillars are a wide oligophages of woody plants. The nature of distribution influences on their life cycle. Caterpillar of thermophilic Caligula boisduvalii Ev. develops in the spring and summer and its adult - in August and September. Its eggs overwinter. Whereas life cycle of the forest species Aglia tau L. and Eudia pavonia L. lays in another way. Their adult phases are in May and June. Their caterpillars grow the second half of summer and pupae overwinter. Imago Aglia tau L. is flying in day time whereas Caligula boisduvalii Ev. in night time. Males of Eudia pavonia L. is flying day and females at night time.