Photo © David G Green

Great Peacock Moth

Saturnia pyri

Checklist Number
68.0011 [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)

No Adult records to show.

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Swaythling (SU41)24/05/1984oneKeith WatsonAdult
Stubbington (SU50)06/05/2009oneAnonAdult