Species information
Scientific name: Antheraea yamamai yambaru
Japanese name: ヤママユ（沖縄亜種）
Chinese name: 大透目天蠶蛾（沖繩亞種）
English name: Japanese silk moth
Origin: It is distributed in Korea, parts of China, Taiwan, and Japan. In Japan, it is found from Hokkaido to Okinawa, while this subspecies is restricted to Okinawajima.
Ecology and description
The Japanese silk moth (Antheraea yamamai) in Japan is classified into 3 subspecies:
- Nominate subspecies A. y. yamamai found from Hokkaido to Yakushima: the Hokkaido population was previously considered another subspecies A. y. ussuriensis, but is now included in the nominate subspecies.
- Amami subspecies A. y. yoshimotoi
- Okinawan subspecies A. y. yambaru: previously, populations in Okinawa and Amami Oshima were considered the same subspecies, but a 2020 study distinguished them as distinct subspecies.
Its food plants are members of the family Fagaceae, and the adults are found in yellow and brown colorations, appearing in September. The cocoons of this species can be used to produce silk.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Due to its attraction to lights, the Japanese silk moth can be observed flying towards vehicle headlights or flashlights during our 【Herping】 and 【Night Birding】 activities in August and September. I have also occasionally observed the Amami subspecies during trips to Amami Oshima in July.
