Volume 24, Issue 73, January - June, 2023

Light-attracted silkworm moths (Saturniidae): Morphological characteristics, endemism and local status from Bacusanon, Pangantucan in Mindanao, Philippines

Rona Mae P Viernes^1♦, Michelle S Suelo^1,2, Alma B Mohagan², Dave P Mohagan²

¹Central Mindanao University (CMU), PhD student, Philippines
²(CMU) PhD student, Faculty member (CMU Biology Department) and Head (CMU Zoloogical Museum), Philippines

^♦Corresponding author
Central Mindanao University (CMU) PhD student Joel Viernes' residence, Barangay Vintar, Valencia, Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao Philippines

ABSTRACT

More than ninety percent (90%) of the diverse species of moths have fuzzy bodies, hairy antennae and may lack clubbed tips. Among these species are the silkworm moths or the family Saturniidae, which is among the biggest moths in the order Lepidoptera. There are still no published data regarding Saturniids from Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon in Mindanao, Philippines. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide details about the morphological traits, endemism and local status of these light attracted Saturniids using the light trapping technique. There are about five (5) species and fifteen (15) individuals of saturniids in Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. According to the species' occurrences, 60% of the species caught were common and 40% were either rare or very rare. Nearly all species are widespread endemic, Mindoro endemic and are not listed in the IUCN. According to the data, disturbed environments are likely to have serious consequences, it may harm the habitat of Saturniids as well as other local residents and inhabitants and could possibly lead to the emergence of less abundant species.

Keywords: Saturniids, status, morphology, endemism

Species, 2023, 24(73), e11s1011

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v24i73/e11s1011

Published: 3 February 2023