Hybrid Actias luna male x Actias selene female by R.Lemaitre, P. Guivarch and team of following breeders: R. Beck, H. Evin, G. Flutsch, R. Höge, S. Kohll, E. Legrand, A. Marson, J-P. Pagnon, F. Renner, J-C.Tavernier and R. Zaun.

Actias luna species came from a second generation of cocoons whose origin is from California (possibly Florida) and was raised by Patrick. Actias selene species came from West Hunnan (China) and was raised by Patrick, the group and me. Special thanks to Eric Anderson who sent the A. luna cocoons to Patrick (first generation).

The pairing took place naturally, using an A. luna female, and breeding continued without any problems with liquidambar as a foodplant for all of us. We obtained both male and female chrysalids, which started to hatch four weeks after the first cocoons developed. Cocoons look like A. luna and A. selene ones and all the in-between forms of the two concerned species; part of chrysalids were purposely made to over winter to be used in spring 2008. Up to now, we haven't had the opportunity to check the possible fecundity of this hybrid.

Female from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

First instar from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Second instar from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Third instar from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Fourth instar from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Fifth instar from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Cocoons from Actias luna male x Actias selene female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

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