Epiphora lugardi cocoons and hostplants

I have 10 lugardi cocoons I have had since Dec. of '23. I kept them in an unheated room around 70f, and dry.

About 3 weeks ago I moved them to a cage I use for high humidity and heat, which I cycle warm and wet conditions,

to attempt to replicate the weather in Kenya, easy to look it up, it's warm and wet this time of year.

Foodplant, I have a book which lists ceanothus as a foodplant. I think African flora is going to be difficult to locate.

I am hoping to see some moths any minute now... I'll post any interesting developments.

You might try artificial diet, I have diet I bought at Amazon for Hyles lineata, which they ate, but it is a labor intensive

endeavor, constant cleaning is the drawback.

Well.

Something interesting has in fact happened.

I am waiting for the batteries to recharge, and will post a photo, as well as try

an image search.

A mystery moth appeared. Not a Saturniidae. Looks like a big Noctuid, with it's wings folded over the back.

All the cocoons look the same, with minor differences in color.

Yes. Matthew Simmonds was the seller.

The only difference in appearance of the cocoons is the mystery animal came from a darker

cocoon, with that being the only difference.

I emailed Matthew to see if anyone else has had anything similar happen, but, clearly without a photo, it's just guesswork.

the emerged mystery moth its probably Dollmania purpurascens Lasiocampidae.

I also have cocoons from M.Simmonds but still sleeping. All cocoons looks the same.