"Actias sinensis species comes from a first generation of wild eggs whose origin is West Hunnan (China). It has been raised by Patrick and myself. Actias gnoma species comes from Japan (Himekawa, Ctani vill N, Nagano Honshu Central) and is a second-generation raised by Robert Zaun. Thanks to Undine Aussem who sent to me eggs in 2006, turned into diapausing cocoons, finally used during 2007 season.

"Pairing took place naturally, using a calling A. sinensis female to mislead the male. We hadn't met any problem during the breeding. Everybody in the team used Liquidambar as a foodplant. Proportion of fertile eggs was very high, with a 95% rate, and I obtained approximately 600 eggs, which is exceptional for an Actias gnoma female!!!!! We obtained both male and female pupae, which began to emerge three weeks after having been set on to cocoons.

"Cocoon shapes ranged from A. sinensis to A. gnoma types, with many intermediate features (see photo). Several pairings were attempted, some of them were successful and we could observe a partial ovogenese from some of the females. Future will let us know whether the eggs obtained by G. Lecocq are fertile or not. Some of the pupae were put in diapause to be able to be used in spring 2008."

2-Female from Actias sinensis male x Actias gnoma female, photo Robert Lemaitre 8-Cocoons from Actias sinensis male x Actias gnoma female, photo Robert Lemaitre