Photo © David G Green
Great Peacock Moth
Saturnia pyri
Checklist Number68.0011 [B&F: 1643a]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Saturniidae |
| Subfamily: | Saturniinae |
| Genus: | Saturnia |
| Species: | pyri |
| Authority: | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) |
Recorded only as a possible very rare immigrant, a male was found by the M27 motorway at Swaythling, Hampshire on 24 May 1984. Sometimes bred in captivity, so a wild origin cannot be assumed. In Hampshire a second individual was found in a garden at Stubbington in 2009. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 110-180 mm. The largest European moth, at least twice the size of Emperor Moth S. pavonia. Larva feeds on various trees and shrubs, no evidence of breeding in the UK.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swaythling (SU41) | 24/05/1984 | one | Keith Watson | Adult |
| Swaythling (SU41) | 24/05/1984 | one | Keith Watson | Adult |
| Stubbington (SU50) | 06/05/2009 | one | Anon | Adult |
