A revision of the Indo-Australian genus Attacus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Abstract

The genus Attacus Linnaeus is revised taxonomically. The immature and adult stages are characterized morphologically. Of the 48 names proposed to date, it was found that only 12 represent valid species. These are Attacus atlas (Linnaeus) from southeastern Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands, A. aurantiacus W. Rothschild from the Key Islands, A. caesar Maassen from the southern Philippines, A. crameri C. Felder from the Moluccas, A. dohertyi W. Rothschild from Timor, A. erebus Fruhstorfer from Celebes, A. inopinatus Jurriaanse & Lindemans from Flores and Sumba, A. intermedius Jurriaanse & Lindemans from the Tanimbar Islands, A. lorquinii C. & R. Felder from the Philippines, A. mcmulleni Watson from the Andamans, A. taprobanis Moore from Sri Lanka and southern India, and A. wardi W. Rothschild from northern Australia. Two new species are described herein, one from the Philippine island of Palawan, the other from the Banggai Archipelago. A key to the adults is included. The subspecies concept was found to be inapplicable to populations of this genus. Numerous infraspecific names were synonymized, and four were evaluated to the new status of full species. One neotype, two holotypes, one allotype, two paratypes, 25 lectotypes, and numerous paralectotypes were designated. The holotype of a supposed fossil of a wing apex described as Attacus? fossilis was examined and discounted as not being congeneric with Attacus. The genitalia of both sexes of all species are described and illustrated. Color figures depict mature larvae of three species and adults of all species, plus adults of the two genera considered most closely related to Attacus. The text under each taxon includes synonymies, descriptions, geographical data, and listings of all label data on specimens examined in collections. The artificial hybrid cross A. atlas X A. lorquinii is described for the first time. A cladistic analysis is presented for all genera of the tribe Attacini. Discussions on biology, ecology, biosystematic concepts, zoogeography, and phylogeny of the genus are presented. Appendices are provided on host plants (85 genera, 46 families) and geographical names.