Dominique writes, "Acknowlegments to Shin-ichi Ohshima from whom fresh Actias gnoma gnoma stock was obtained.

"Natural pairings occurred on July 15-16, 2006, and inside egg laying occured during a three days period.

"Eggs began hatching on July 21th, only six days after deposition. Approximately 70% of the eggs hatched.

The developing caterpillars require between 22 and 35 days, depending upon conditions, indoors or outdoors. Cocoons are woven inside leaves."

Dominique sends this first instar image at three days old. He writes, "Liquidambar (a good food for A. luna as well as for A. gnoma) is a prefered food for this hybrid compared to Black Alnus which is the very good food for the parent A. gnoma gnoma. Dominique also sends the following images of all instars, at the indicated total number of days from hatching from eggs on July 21. Development outdoors took longer than indoors.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna second instar (5 days), courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna third instar (7 days), courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna fourth instar (16 days), courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna fifth instar (21 days), courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna prepupal (25 days), courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna cocoon, courtesy of Dominique Adès.

"Larvae began spinning cocoons on August 12, and pupae were formed five days later on August 17. The first eclosion of an adult male took place on September 3, seventeen days after pupation (twenty-two days after spinning). Cocoons had been kept at a relatively constant 22-23°C." Female pupa (larger) is to the left.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna male, inflating, courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Actias gnoma x Actias luna female, courtesy of Dominique Adès.

Dominique writes October 11, 2006, "Please find in this mail, my first hybrid female [gnoma male x luna female] I obtained yesterday two months after pupation.

"I will try next, if possible to obtain pictures from the pair because colours are very different! But eclosions are in fact very erratic for the females as well as for the males. Perhaps after two months in refrigerator it will be better."

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