DISTRIBUTION:

Actias felicis (wingspan: m: 72mm; f: larger // forewing length: males: 42mm; females: larger) is found in
China: Jiulainshan, 1500M, Dayu, South Jiangxi. Steve Kohll also reports them in Tongguzhang, 1600M, Meizhou, East Guangdong and from Dayaoshan, 1800M, Jinxiu, Guangxi, China. Recently (2013) they are reported from Sichuan, China (ESs).

Stefan Naumann is still currently (June 2006) working on this group of Actias. Actias vanschaycki belongs in the Actias felicis group, comprised of the following species:

Actias felicis felicis, China: Jiangxi; Guangdong; Guangxi; Sichuan
Actias felicis arianeae, China: Shaanxi: Qin Ling Mountains, Fopin (1800m)
Actias uljanae, China: Hunan: Nanling Mountains
Actias chrisbrechlinae, China: Yunnan; Guangxi; 1950-2460m
Actias winbrechlini, China: northwestern Yunnan: Fengshuining Mountains (2460m), Yulong County; northern Myanmar = Burma: Kachin: Chudu Mountains (3000m)
Actias neidhoeferi, Taiwan; possibly eastern China
Actias kongjiaria, China: Sichuan: Gongga Shan; 2600-3200m
Actias vanschaycki, China: Sichuan, southwest of Heishui; 3100m
Actias shaanxiana, China: Shaanxi: Tai Bai Shan Mountains; Daba Shan Mountains; 1500m.

With the exception of Actias felicis felicis, Actias chrisbrechlinae and Actias uljanae the moths in this group seem devoid of a forewing pm line, and are an almost uniform pale green, without yellow or pink in the hindwing tails.

The forewing pm line is thin and regularly dentate in the specimens mentioned above.

Actias felicis felicis male, 72mm, Sichuan, China,
on my home computer only.

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.

Actias felicis female, courtesy of Robert Lemaitre,
stock was obtained from Jiulainshan, 1500M, Dayu, South Jiangxi, China.

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.

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 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.

Actias felicis female, AT, China, courtesy/copyright BMNH, on my home computer only.