Authors for the hybridation:
Dominique Adès, Raymond Cocault, Robert Vuattoux & Robert Zaun.
Powerful acknowlegments to Franz Renner by whom Actias gnoma cocoons were obtained this winter and conducted by R. Vuattoux.

It seems that Pinus isn’t a convenient food for this hybrid. Liquidambar is by far prefered by this hybrid compared to black Alnus which is the very good food for the parent Actias gnoma gnoma. Pairing occured on May 11, 2006, and egg deposition lasted for a three days period.

There was a 48% fertility rate on egg hatching which began on May 24th.

The developing caterpillars require twenty-five days at a temperature around 25-26°C to reach maturity outside. They develop nearly as rapidly as those reared inside.

Graellsia isabelae galiaegloria x Actias gnoma gnoma,
mid fifth instar, courtesy of photographer Dominique Adès.

Graellsia isabelae galiaegloria x Actias gnoma gnoma,
mature fifth instar, courtesy of photographer Dominique Adès.

Cocoons are woven inside leaves as with most other hybrids which accept Liquidambar such as Graellsia x Actias luna.

And they look like them in all aspects. Yield is around 70% with respect to eggs hatching. Female relative ratio is 40%.

The first moth eclosed thirty days after the first cocoon was spun, with temperatures between 25 and 28°C!

Female pupae were stored for three months at 8-10°C and then placed at room temperature on October 22th 2006. As no development had occurred as of December 23rd, the pupae were then Beta-ecdysone treated and almost all eclosed within four days between January 8th and 12th.

Female hybrid Graellsia isabelae galiaegloria x Actias gnoma gnoma,
courtesy of photographer Dominique Adès, Born 12/01/2007

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