Robert Lemaitre writes, "The Actias sinensis species comes from a first generation of wild eggs whose origin is in West Hunnan (China). It has been raised by Patrick and myself. The Actias luna species comes from California and is a second generation raised by Patrick. Many thanks to Eric Anderson for the first cocoons provided.

"The 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.

"Once the cocoons spun up, we obtained the first male and female hybrids three weeks later.

"We obtained male and female pupae which started hatching three weeks after cocoons were spun. The cocoons are a A. sinensis and A. luna type and all the in between forms of the two concerned species; part of pupae were purposely made to over winter to be of use in spring 2008. Right now, we have not had the opportunity to check the possible fecundity of this hybrid."

Female from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.

Female from Actias sinensis female x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.

First instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.

Second instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Patrick Guivarch.

Third instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.

Third instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Patrick Guivarch.

Third instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Patrick Guivarch.

Fifth instar from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Patrick Guivarch.

Cocoons from Actias sinensis male x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.

Pupae from Actias sinensis m x Actias luna female, photo Robert Lemaitre.