Collection and Characteristics of the Wild Silkmoth, Samia cynthia pryeri, in Korea

The wild silkmoth, Samia cynthia pryeri, was firstly collected at Miryang, Korea. The development and quantitative characters of S. cynthia preyri in the laboratory condition were analysed. The larval body color of dark yellow green or light yellow green of the S. cynthia pryeri was changed into white color during the molting period, and the yellowish bristles in younger larvae were changed into fade green color in advanced stage larvae. Aralia elata and Zanthoxylum piperitum were newly identified as host plants to S. cynthia pryeri. Cocoon weight and cocoon shell percentage were average 2.14 g and 12.3 %, respectively. In addition, the morphology of the silkgland was different from that of the domestic silkworm,Bombyx mori, but was identical with that of the wild silkmoth, Antheraea yamamai.