Samia ricini, the eri silkmoth, is a species of insect, a member of the family Saturniidae which includes the giant silk moths. This moth is a domestic polyhybrid that has been bred for centuries due to the silk it makes. The name is based on the host plant used for feeding the caterpillars, castor, Ricinus communis. This moth is derived from several different species within the genus including Samia cynthia and Samia canningi.[3]

Samia ricini
Both sexes of Samia ricini depicted in Indian insect life by Maxwell-Lefroy.
Domesticated
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Saturniinae
Tribe: Attacini
Genus: Samia
Species:
S. ricini
Binomial name
Samia ricini
Synonyms
  • Attacus ricini Donovan, 1798
  • Philosamia ricini
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References

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  1. ^ Peigler, Richard S.; Calhoun, John V. (2013). "Correct authorship of the name Phalaena ricini and the nomenclatural status of the name Saturnia canningi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)" (PDF). Tropical Lepidoptera Research. 23 (1): 39–43.
  2. ^ "OPINION 2376 (Case 3638). Saturnia canningi Hutton, 1859 (currently Samia canningi; Insecta, Lepidoptera, saturniidae ): name conserved". Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature. 73 (1). 2016.
  3. ^ "Samia ricini - "eri silkmoth"". Breeding Butterflies. Retrieved 23 November 2021.