Beiträge von Serge

Zitat von ArGeNtUm

Hello!

Pupa hibernates at temperatures around +3 C. Cocoon in the winter should not be much wetter, but must be wetter in the spring and especially in April when just before hatching.

Jevgenij

Pupae of dubernardi usually don't hibernate at all and I don't recommend anybody to do this, if he does not want to lose livestock. Also I don't believe that cocoons survive under -20C! In my personal test they resist something around -8-10C below zero and die, if frost is stronger! Pupae must be in wet conditions all the time, if you don't want lose livestock. The main conditions initiating diapause in this species are light and humidity, but not temperature like ArGeNtUm wrote! He lost his livestock very quickly as I know.

If you have any questions concerning Actias dubernardi, you can contact me.

It is not Galium species. This is Asperula genus from Rubiaceae family. It looks like Asperula odorata.

I found Salix babilonica as the best plant for H. cecropia, but it stands badly in water. However larvae do well on this plant even in closed containers!!!

Euphorbia spp. is not ideal also - great loss and micro adults.

Hi,

It is not a fact. I have personally tested many European host plants including Juglans. In spite of Argema mittrei young larvae of Argema mimosae tried to eat almost each plants (Salix, Betula, Juglans, Acer campestris and e.t.c.) but do well only on Rhus (30-50% mortality and undersized adults) and as the best choice - Scumpia (low mortality and good size of adults). However one larva proceeded successfully until the third instar on Betula! I believe that some can do well on Juglans, but only as sporadic case. Therefore Juglans can not be recommended as host plant. Of course, if somebody can get adults from larvae reared on Juglans, the next brood will be more adopted for this plant.

Regards,
Serge

No.

Here are a group of my Actias chapae larvae.

We are at the third instar!

Argema mimosae do fine on Rhus and Scumpia.

Regards,
Serge

The first Actias chapae larvae proceeded to the second instar.

Actias chapae news comes back! Young larvae started to hatch on January, 11th.

Actias luna was not tested.

Regards,
Serge

My colleague Andrew from Russia have just prepared new fine photos of rearing on artificial diet.

I can't tell more right now as we prepare a scientific article. I can only tell that nerii diet must contain food plant. Now we use Vinca minor.

Larvae reared on this diet produce healthy fertile adults of normal size and color. We have already got 7 generations of Acherontia atropos on such diet.

Do you mean species or substance?

We have started breeding of Actias chapae again! New updates will be posted here every week.

We have also developed ideal diet for Acherontia atropos and Bunea alcinoe.

The diet for Acherontia atropos also works for Acherontia lachesis.

We have developed an optimal artificial diet for Daphnis nerii larvae. It works at 100%.

I have got 8 generations without breaking in captivity since December, 2008. The effective rearing technique was developed that also useful for other Pine-feeding Actias species including Actias chapae and Graellsia isabellae.

Regards,
Serge