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Post by enyas24 on Jan 9, 2011 14:49:49 GMT -8
I love this species, had the chance to rear it one year ago but no luck with the crossing. But still it s cool to see it alive ;D Attachments:
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Post by bobw on Jan 11, 2011 8:37:43 GMT -8
I got some ova in September 2008 and had a male and two females emerge in May 2009 when the male paired with both females (as far as I'm aware the only time it's been successfully paired after overwintering in captivity). The first female laid about 50 eggs and the second over 200, all of which were infertile - maybe the males can only pair once. I got four pairings from the subsequent brood in August and again about half of the ova were infertile. Unfortunately neither I, nor anyone else that I gave ova to, got them through the following winter.
As far as I'm aware, all captive stock came from two original females and no more have been found since, so the stock may well have been too inbred. This is a very difficult species to rear. Everyone I've spoken to or given stock to had the same problems: perfectly good looking pairings producing infertile ova, an inability to get more than 10 - 20% of larvae through to pupation, crippled pupae and failure to overwinter. Hopefully more will become available one day as in spite of the difficulty it's a great species to rear.
Bob
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Post by enyas24 on Jan 11, 2011 11:38:55 GMT -8
Dear Radovan, Yes they were mine but as Bob very correctly mentioned this is a pretty hard species to breed. Same with me 3 males and 2 females paired and all the ova were infertile.. Imagine my disappointment and frustration when all the specimens were worn out and ruined with no viable offsprings. Now that i recall i think it was on 2009 also and i m pretty sure that they came from the same 2 females Bob got his. Never found them on market again, ovas were a gift from a friend. Tip: By the way i had a very good ratio to pupation, almost 80%. The foodplant i used was liquidambar orientalis and aver. temp 26 C. It gave me great results. I also overwintered the pupae at 5 C and all emerged, but i don't know if the infertility was due to the cold spell. I guess not  |
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Post by markus48 on Jan 20, 2011 16:51:47 GMT -8
Hi Everyone, first time trying out our "New Forum"...
My experience with rhodies were not bad in the least and found they were as easy if no more difficult to rear than lunas. This project was started in Feb 2009.
Fairly sure it was the quality of the initial genetics, as I managed to get 3 consecutive broods from February until they finally pooped out in September. Matings were 95%+ fertile until the last and were not a problem getting them to call/hook up on their own.
The last confirmed matings (by this time at least 3 gens inbred) proved to be a total bust even though all pairs were coupled properly and for normal duration. Think this may answer some of the questions out there as for infertility problems experienced.
As for rearing, my biggest issue was having host in February for 1st brood, which was initially taken care of by my 2 potted Gums and help from family and friends in warmer places than New Jersey! Exclusively used Liquidamber, which proved an excellent host.
Took a decent number pix of emergences, males / females, matings for those interested, feel free to write. Please don't ask for specimens, there are none available.
Mark
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Post by enyas24 on Jan 22, 2011 7:02:44 GMT -8
Hey Marcus, I love your army of male rhodopneumas btw  It s true that rearing them is not difficult at all. The breeding had problems and as you mention is the problem of bad genetics in the very end. You are quite lucky that you continued for 3 generations since i bet they were inbred in the first place! In my case in particular i tried to cross them with a.luna for hybrids but not luck there again. Never tried them on eucalyptus gunnii but now thanx to you we know that they take it  |
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Post by enyas24 on Jan 22, 2011 7:05:32 GMT -8
another close up Attachments:
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Post by bobw on Jan 22, 2011 10:42:34 GMT -8
My experience with rhodies were not bad in the least and found they were as easy if no more difficult to rear than lunas. Mark This surprises me as I've discussed this with about 10 different people who reared them in all sorts of different countries and climates, and every one of them said they were one of the most difficult species they'd tried, particularly in terms of larval mortality, pupation problems and infertile ova. The only thing that was really easy was pairing! Maybe you just live in a more suitable climate for them. I got f2 ova, paired them twice and failed to get the f4 pupae through the winter, so they certainly shouldn't have been inbred at first. I tried some on E. gunnii and whilst they nibbled at it they were clearly very reluctant so I moved them back to Liquidambar before I lost them. Let's just hope they become available again one day. Bob |
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Post by enyas24 on Jan 22, 2011 17:14:23 GMT -8
Hey Bob,
I believe that the rearing part is totally depending on the right conditions met. My rearing experience with them also classifies them as easy.
I reared them while i was staying in North Greece,sea-side city and season spring-summer.
My mistake about the e.gunii, i thought that markus was referring to it when he said "two planted gums" but now i see that he was talking about sweetgum! sorry again!
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Post by markus48 on Jan 23, 2011 10:15:17 GMT -8
Hi everyone, Sorry about the misunderstanding on the "gum" - we don't have Eucalyptus natively and forgot the dual reference. And yes, the 2 potted plants are native Liquidamber. I've found them indispensible with rearing early (or totally out of my season) larvae. They've been in stasus enough to restart, and will be coming back inside by the middle of February to sprout. For me, it's a great alternate host plant - when in doubt, try Liquidamber! Short of the odd poisonous plant or Pinus feeders, have found it indispensible rearing most exotic Sats. Not sure if it's the astringent / antiseptic qualities, high moisture content, ability to remain viable almosty indefinitely as watered cuttings, or all 3 - works for me. Have even used the Asian variety (has 3 main lobes instead of the 5-7 we have here). There's one in Disney (Florida) and my Hong Kong friend sent me a 5 lb bag worth, works equally well. Nice photo enyas, just like to mention on my previous photo that using the flash really doesn't do justice to the true color of the male - so attached one male taken on my porch in sunlight. have a good weekend, Mark Attachments:
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Post by mothman27 on Dec 30, 2015 7:08:06 GMT -8
What temp and humidity should you keep the overwintering cocoons at?
I am looking into this species for rearing.
Tim
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Post by bobw on Dec 30, 2015 7:53:06 GMT -8
They should be treated as any other Actias and kept outside at ambient winter temperatures. You'll be lucky to get any livestock, as far as I know it's not been available since 2009/2010. The current advert in the classified is almost certainly from a scammer.
Bob
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Post by mothman27 on Dec 30, 2015 10:05:56 GMT -8
Thanks bobw,
Does anyone reading this have any suggestions for where I could get any actias cocoons?
I put an add in the classifieds but got only scammers. I am interested in any actias species, except luna.
Thanks,
Tim
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