DISTRIBUTION:

The Actias callandra moth (forewing length: males: 55-70mm; females: 80mm) is found on the Andaman Islands of India (Mayabunda Karmatany). Males taken during the spring flight tend to be greenish while those taken in September are yellow. The dark brown postmedial lines are very prominent in both sexes.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken at lights in March-April and July-August-September and November, suggesting at least three flights. There is a possible diapause during the hot season when the hostplant sheds its leaves.

The preferred foodplants of this moon moth are Lannea coromandelica and Rhizophora.

This moth was previously treated as a subspecies of Actias selene.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Males use pectinate antennae to locate scenting females at night. Mating probably occurs after 10:30 pm and the pair remain coupled until the following evening.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are medium-sized round, flattened spheres. Larvae turn green in the third instar and remain that colour until spinning cocoons. The first instar is predominantly black and the second instar is greyish, distinguishing it from A. selene.

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.

Lannea coromandelica ....... Rhizophora

Jhingan gum Mangrove

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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 "callandra" is a feminine name, probably without any descriptive significance.

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.