Actias vivian

Actias vivian courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Franz and Julian Renner sent me images of this, at the time, undescribed species, referring to it as "vivian". It has now been officially described and named Actias chrisbrechlinae, as per personal communication with Dr. Ronald Brechlin.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily Bombycoidea, Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Tribe: Saturniini, Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Genus: Actias, Leach, 1815

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DISTRIBUTION:

The Actias vivian moth flies in Yunnan Province, China, at elevations around 1950m.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Franz renner reports "Actias vivian larvae feed on Larix, Picea or Pinus."

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the posterior tip of the abdomen to call in night-flying males.

Actias vivian fifth instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Franz Renner writes, May 30, 2007, "We have got eggs from an undescribed species of the genus Actias. The Chinese entomologist named this species "vivian". The species belongs to the "Actias-felicis-group". The larvae are similar to Actias felicis, but the imagines are very different from Actias felicis. I had success rearing this rare species and Julian was very busy and has made some excellent photos. As attachments we send you the pictures of our work."

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Actias vivian first instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Actias vivian second instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Actias vivian third instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Actias vivian fourth instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

Actias vivian fifth instar, courtesy/copyright Franz and Julian Renner.

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.

Larix ....... Picea Pinus

Larch/Juniper/Tamarack Spruce Pine

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