"First attempt: I got six eggs from a friend. July, 14th, three caterpillars came out. The recommended foodplant was Larix (juniper/tamarack/larch. I offered them Larix and, because more comfortable for me, Cedrix libanotica. Both were eaten!

"I reared indoors at temperature between 21°c to 25°C in clear plastic boxes. The young larvae were reared on cut food in boxes with a height of 3 cm, and a diameter 7cm. Boxes were covered with soft paper.

"All three larvae reached the third instar (L3), however, this was the end. The last one died August, 3rd.

Second attempt: I got thirteen eggs from a French friend on August, 12th. One larva was already hatched on the postal way. This larva died the same day. The next day two larvae emerged. My French friend recommended the common Pinus sylvestris as a food-plant. Because I wasn't sure, whether Pinus sylvestris is close enough to Pinus mugo (this I have on my ground, I live in a lime-region, and sylvestris is home at sand-regions), I tried Pinus strobus. Based on earlier experience with other needle-eating-species, I had good results with those soft needles! My friend told me, three larvae from thirteen eggs would be an exclusive result with that batch!

"And here is the time-table:

- e.o. 13.8.2005
- L2 17.8.2005
- L3 23.8.2005
- L4 29.8.2005
- L5 5.9.2005

"The L5 larvae lived in clear plastic boxes 9cm x 11cm x 15 cm, also covered half-side with soft paper. The first larva started spinning on 17.9.2005. The second larva seemed to be ready on 21. 9. 2005, however, it died on 24.9.2005 with black parts and white mould in the head-region - infection!

Actias dubernardi cocoon, courtesy of Rainer Plontke.

" I checked the lone cocoon on October 4th: yes, female-pupa, in development! However, with small defects in the wing-region. "The female came out October 9th, (picture to the right). However, there were defects nearly symmetrically on the forewings, along the inner boundary. "My conclusions: - yes, indoor breeding with cut food is possible - yes, also quasi "high temperatures" (21°C-25°C) are possible - if I could repeat breeding, I would use also Pinus strobus, nevertheless, the previous generation were doing well on Pinus sylvestris resp. Larix. - the result strongly depends on the quality of the breeding-material: eggs from free-land? repeated (1., 2., 3. ) inbreeding? "I hope, dear Bill, that would be helpful for you! Best regards, Rainer"

Many thanks to Rainer for sharing his experience with this species. We can all learn from each others' experiences, and I invite others to share experiences, especially with the less commonly reared species.

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