Guardian Nature School Team Contact Blog Project Noah Facebook Project Noah Twitter

A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife

Join Project Noah!
nature school apple icon

Project Noah Nature School visit nature school

Japanese Silk Moth

Antheraea yamamai

Description:

The Japanese Silk Moth or Japanese Oak Silkmoth (Antheraea yamamai, Japanese: Yamamayu(ga) (山繭(蛾)・ヤママユ(ガ)?)) is a moth of the Saturniidae family. It is endemic to Japan, but has been imported to Europe for silk production. The wingspan is 110–150 mm. Adults are on wing from August to September in one generation depending on the location.

Notes:

The tensan (天蚕?) silk moth (Antheraea yamamai) has been cultivated in Japan for more than 1000 years. It produces a naturally white silk but does not dye well, though it is very strong and elastic. It is now very rare and expensive.

1 Species ID Suggestions

bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago
Japanese Silk Moth
Antheraea yamamai Antheraea yamamai


Sign in to suggest organism ID

3 Comments

pamsai
pamsai 10 years ago

thanks for all the favs...

pamsai
pamsai 10 years ago

thanks bayucca...

bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago

Saturniidae, Saturniinae, Saturniini, Antheraea sp. and most probably the endemic Antheraea yamamai. It was once endemic, but was also introduced to Europe for silk production. Some escaped or very release and could establish in Europe.
http://www.schmetterling-raupe.de/art/ya...

pamsai
Spotted by
pamsai

Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan

Spotted on Sep 14, 2013
Submitted on Jan 11, 2014

Related Spottings

Polyphemus Moth Japanese Silk Moth (cocoon) Polyphemus Moth Polyphemus Moth

Nearby Spottings

Entoloma Bolete Japanese Silk Moth Water Strider
Noah Guardians
Noah Sponsors
join Project Noah Team

Join the Project Noah Team