Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female

by Robert Lemaitre and Team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
courtesy of Eric Legrand, via Robert Lemaitre and team.

Hybrid Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female by R. Lemaitre and part of the breeder team: caterpillars, cocoons and pupae, imagos. Success in May 2010 from a natural mating between a male Graellsia isabellae and a female Actias maenas maenas where we obtained hybrid adults by the following team: R. Beck, S. Kohll, P. Guivarch, M. Lamour, E. Legrand, A. Marson, J.C. Tavernier and R. Zaun.

The first breeding of Actias maenas maenas was conducted by Steve Kohll, from eggs received from northern Thailand, and then a second one in March/April 2010 from the whole breeders team (on Eucalyptus gunnii). An interesting remark, the eggs travelled during winter and a bunch of eggs survived 10 hours at -6C.

We obtained a few natural matings between wild Graellsia isabellae and females of Actias maenas on behalf of calling females of Graellsia isabellae; the offspring were reared on Eucalyptus gunnii, Douglas Pine, Picea abies, Himalayan cedar tree and Liquidamber.

The breeding lasted between one month and one month and a half depending on the breeding conditions and the plant that was used by the breeders. We obtained male and female cocoons, but for the time being, only the males hatched.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
courtesy of Patrick Guivarch, via Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
inflating, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
coupling, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Female from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female, Photo of Robert Lemaitre, courtesy Eric Legrand and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
first instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
second instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
third instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
fourth instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
fourth instar (Liquidambar), courtesy of Alan Marson, via Robert Lemaitre and team.

Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
fifth instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
fifth instar (face), courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
fifth instar (Eucalyptus gunnii), courtesy of P. Guivarch, via Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
cocoon, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
pupae, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Male from Graellsia isabellae male x Actias maenas female,
rearing bottles, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre and team.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.