Cynthia's range

[Chris J. Durden]

Austin Texas but we have no *Philosamia cynthia*. Although Svante Palm
attempted to start a silkworm industry here in the last century he may
never have tried introducing *P. cynthia* or if he did, the summers may be
too hot or dry for this species. If anyone has some spare pupae this fall I
can test this.
   Although *Ailanthus altissima* has been introduced into North America
from China in recent times, there was a native species of *Ailanthus* in
the Madrotertiary flora preserved in the late Eocene (38MA) of Florissant,
Colorado.
...........Chris Durden
 
At 12:53  7/07/99 GMT, you wrote:
>Philosamia cynthia is only locally common in North America. The moth is
usually
>seen in and around Urban areas from Massachusetts southward along the eastern
>seaboard to probably Georgia. The larva feeds upon Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus
>altissma) which is naturalized from Asia as well as the moth in question.
There
>have been specimens of this taken as far west as Pittsburgh, Buffalo NY and
>Cincinatti OH, (from what I have heard or read). Wherever the food plant
grows
>in abundance, there should be Cynthias. For a long time Tree of heaven
grew in
>cities with soil that many native trees will not grow. It looks like
overgrown
>Sumac. It can be found in railroad yards, vacant lots, industrial areas and
>along highways. I live near Boston and P. cynthia is quite common there as
well
>as the surrounding suburbs. I have even found wild specimens of this in the
>rural area where I live. The males fly by day in September here. I have
raised
>these as well and will feed upon Ash (Fraxinus), Lilac, and Privet as well as
>Tree of Heaven. The western range of this (my own hypothesis) is likely
Chicago
>area or St. Louis area. I have traveled  the western US and have not seen
this
>tree growing beyond the Mississippi valley. I hope I was of help.
>M. Arey
>
>