DISTRIBUTION:

Actias philippinica philippinica (wingspan approx 145-160 mm) flies in lowland forests of Mindanao, Luzon, Leyte, Negros, Mindoro, and all other islands except Samar and Cebu in the Philippines. It is also collected in Sta. Fe, Nueva Viscaya, North Luzon.

Elne Balcquin has sent me specimens from Negros Occidental.

Actias philippinica male, Patag, Negros Occidental, Philippines,
July 10, 2012, courtesy of Lary E. Reeves.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Moths have been photographed in Negros Occidental, Philippines in March and July. There may be additional flight months.

Actias philippinica broods continuously and larvae feed on Fagus sylvatica (incorrect).

Ismael and Marie Lumawig indicate the natural host may be Alphitonia ponderosa, but they are still waiting for a more positive identification.

In January 2008, Ismael sent me the following image of "tual tree" foliage as well as an image of a fifth instar Actias philippinica philippinica larva.

He writes: "Happy New Year! I'm back with Saturniidae again. I'm hoping I can continue to get more information about other species. For the meantime, I am attaching a picture of Actias philippinica philippinica with the hostplant (local name is tual). Are you familiar with this hostplant? I have successfully bred seven caterpillars after I lost more than fifty small ones in the garden. I didn't have a cage then: Now I've learned my lesson that I really must have the cages ready once they hatch from their eggs. The picture is a little blurry as I am only using a cellphone camera."

"Tual tree foliage, Philippines, courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

Actias philippinica philippinica on Tual tree foliage,
Philippines, courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

Actias philippinica philippinica male, courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in night-flying males which are active from 9:30 pm until 11:00 pm.

Females, which come in to lights, are usually active from 9:00 until 10:30 pm.

Actias philippinica philippinaca female, courtesy of Ismael and Marie Lumawig.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Fagus sylvatica (to be corrected) ..... Tual (IM)

Beech Tual

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