DISTRIBUTION:

Actias uljanae (wingspan: males: 75-82mm; females: ) is found in Jiulainshan, 1500M, Dayu, South Jiangxi, China. Steve Kohll also reports them in Tongguzhang, 1600M, Meizhou, East Guangdong and from Dayaoshan, 1800M, Jinxiu, Guangxi, China.

Stefan Naumann is still currently (June 2006) working on this group of Actias. In February of 2008, Dr Ronald Brechlin indicates the adult and larval images previously posted on this page as A. felicis are A. uljanae. It is possible that there is some synonomity here which will later be straightened out.

Actias uljanae HT, Mt. Shikengkong, Nanling Mountains, Hunan, China,
April-May, 2004, 1500m, courtesy/copyright Ronald Brechlin.

Actias uljanae AT, Mt. Shikengkong, Nanling Mountains, Hunan, China,
April-May, 2004, 1500m, courtesy/copyright Ronald Brechlin.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

The first generation flies in March, and there are at least two broods per year. Steve Kohll reports rearing success on Pinus sylvestris and Larix decidua (possibly this refers to uljanae).

Actias uljanae female, Nan Ling, China, courtesy/copyright Victor Sinyaev.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use pectinate antennae to locate scenting females at night.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are medium-sized round, flattened spheres.

Actias felicis eggs, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Actias felicis first instar, courtesy of Steve Kohll.

Actias felicis second instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Actias felicis third instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Actias felicis fourth instar, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Actias felicis fifth instar, courtesy of Steve Kohll.

Actias felicis cocoon, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre.

Visit Actias felicis third and fourth instars, courtesy of Rainer Plontke.

Visit Actias uljanae fifth instar larva on pine, courtesy of Alan Marson.

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. Foodplants provided by Steve Kohll.

Larix decidua Pinus sylvestris .......

European Larch Scots Pine

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The species name "felicis" is from the Latin word for "lucky". The species name uljanae is honourific for a woman/girl name Uljana.

The genus name, Actias, probably comes from the Greek Actaeon, who is the hunter who had the misfortune of being torn to pieces by his own dogs after accidentally encountering the naked goddess Artemis. To punish him, Artemis splashed water on Actaeon and turned him into a stag. There is an Asian species named Actias artemis.

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